During a recent stand‑up performance at a London pub, comedian Romesh Ranganathan disclosed that his wife, Leesa, was sent a vile online message that singled out their marriage, causing her to feel "incredibly upset".
What did Romesh say about the message?
He explained that he receives racist comments online every day, but this time the abuse was directed at his partner, a drama teacher. The exact wording of the message was not released. Romesh first tried to lighten the mood by joking about the house and swimming pool he shares with Leesa, yet he admitted feeling guilty because his fame made her a target.
How did he react on stage?
He remarked, "If she was married to a white guy, she wouldn’t have got that message, but she also wouldn’t have a pool," using humour to cope while acknowledging the hurt involved. He stressed that the incident was distressing because it stemmed from his public profile, not any wrongdoing on Leesa’s part.
Have their children experienced similar abuse?
Romesh confirmed that all three of his sons—Alex, 16, Theo, 14, and Charlie, 11—have encountered racist remarks. Speaking on the Wolf and Owl podcast earlier this year, he recounted an episode where a schoolmate made a comment about his son potentially marrying a cousin, and another where his eldest, Alex, was called the "P‑word" while walking around school. He expressed alarm at the language children are hearing, suggesting it may be coming from home environments.
What concerns does he raise about the broader issue?
He said that hearing such slurs forces him to question the attitudes of the parents involved, noting, "The next time I see their parents I’m thinking, ‘You’re racist’, right? And that’s a horrible thing." Romesh highlighted the need for society to address the roots of racist attitudes that children are exposed to, both online and offline.
The comedian’s candid discussion underscores the personal toll that online hate can take on families, especially when public figures become the focus of targeted abuse.