The most recent edition of Zoo magazine featured in its "advice" [sic] column, its regular reply to a readers letter from Danny Dyer.

Danny's response can be seen printed in this picture

He writes, in response to "Alex, 23" who is having difficulty getting over the end of a relationship and is upset that his former girlfriend appears to have moved on:

"I'd suggest going out on a rampage with the boys, getting on the booze and smashing anything that moves. Then when some bird falls for you you can turn the tables and break her heart. Of course, the other option is to cut your ex's face and then no-one will want her"

I don't doubt that this probably wasn't written by Dyer himself. For all the hard man image, he has a young daughter himself, and I only hope and assume that he realises that one day in the not too distant future, that "ex" could be her. I suspect this was probably written by a staffer at Zoo who thought it was funny, but I do think celeb columnists have a responsibility to take care what their names are put to, not just take money for it and run (I could be wrong, but I doubt this is "charitable" advice).

As for the editorial staff and publishers who thought that this was OK to put into print? Well, this story has now been picked up by the newspapers and I hope that Zoo magazine are now finding that there are some things which just aren't funny, jokes about extreme violence to women being one of them. Publishers and editors have a responsibility. And glorifying violence against woman is something that, regardless of their "organ" and the sensibilities and niche interests of its readers, none should condone.

An open letter to Tom Etherington, editor of Zoo Magazine

Dear Tom,

OK, its not so light. It is the UN's report into global violence against women.

 

This is what happens when women's faces get cut by the way, just so you know.

 

 http://www.daylife.com/photo/0bLpcNpaIv6aT 

 

And in case you didn't know, the machete is used as a tool to disfigure women so that they will die, because "no one will want them" They will not be able to marry, get a job or have children. They will therefore die.  "Cutting" is a tool of ethnic cleansing.

 

This is happening every day. But I'm sure that's probably not of interest to your readers, so how about an example closer to home?

 

How about Katie Piper? It was acid this time, not a knife, but hey-ho, whatever's to hand, right?

 

 

I understand that you thought the Ask Danny response was a joke. If it weren't for the fact that 45% - 70% of all female murders are by partners or exes then maybe it would be funny. Obviously there are plenty of men out there who are not getting that its a joke or that percentage wouldn't be so high.

 

I would urge you to retract what has been written in this column in your next edition and apologise publicly, for inciting violence against women.

 

Now that really would be good news.  

 

Your sincerely

 

 

Dr Lindsay A Keith