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Stephen Fry cans Japan trip over nuke survivor quip

QI presenter likely to bomb, decides BBC

The BBC has decided it would probably be wiser if Stephen Fry didn't visit Japan in the near future, following the QI presenter's description of double A-bomb survivor Tsutomu Yamaguchi as "the unluckiest man in the world".

Fry had been due to jet out to the country to film for a new Beeb documentary series, Planet Word, but the Corporation has now said that due to the "strength of feeling in Japan", it's altered the programme's itinerary.

Fry's quip came during a December broadcast of QI, and prompted a Japanese embassy protest.

The BBC apologised, offering: "QI never sets out to cause offence with any of the people or subjects it covers.

"However on this occasion, given the sensitivity of the subject matter for Japanese viewers, we understand why they did not feel it appropriate for inclusion in the programme."

Tsutomu Yamaguchi, who popped his clogs last year aged 93, survived the Hiroshima bombing in August 1945, and again dodged death in Nagasaki three days later.

Whether this makes him the unluckiest or the luckiest man (formerly) alive is certainly a matter for lively debate, but preferably out of earshot of the Japanese embassy. ®

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