The BBC has taken down a Children in Need campaign video from 2018 after it was revealed that the Southport stabbing suspect, Axel Rudakubana, appeared in the advert when he was just 11 years old. Rudakubana is accused of murdering three girls at a dance class in Merseyside earlier this week.
In the video, Rudakubana is seen dressed as Doctor Who, urging viewers to support Children in Need. The BBC has since removed the video from all its platforms as a gesture of respect to the victims and their families.
Rudakubana was represented by the Ology child talent agency at the time, but BBC Children in Need has clarified that he has no connection to their organization or any of its funded projects.
The three girls who tragically lost their lives in the stabbing incident have been identified as Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, has been charged with their murders as well as 10 counts of attempted murder for injuring eight other children and two adults.
Following the incident, there has been unrest in various towns and cities across England, with reports of violence against police and property damage. The home secretary has condemned the violence, stating that those responsible will face consequences for their actions.
