YouTuber JaackMaate dropped from hometown Christmas lights event after one complaint over 'edgy' 2014 videos
A popular YouTuber has been dropped from a Christmas lights switch on after previous posts of his were reviewed.
Jack Dean goes by the handle JaackMaate on social media, and had been contacted by representatives of Norwich council to switch on the Christmas lights in an event scheduled for 19 November.
Dean, 33, had described the event as a 'bucket list dream', however just a couple of weeks after he was offered the event the council withdrew the offer after reviewing some of the material that Dean has previously shared online.
The council issued an apology in a statement, saying that it 'failed to identify issues from previous published content before announcing him'.
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"Following the council's announcement to confirm the selection of JaackMaate as the personality to switch on Norwich's festive lights, we have reviewed our decision," Norwich City Council said.
"As a result, the council has decided to make a change to its plans for the Festive Lights Switch-On – and JaackMaate will no longer be appearing at the event.
"In reviewing our arrangements, we failed to identify issues from previous published content before announcing him. We apologise for this and will be changing our procedures.
"A further announcement will be made shortly confirming details about the event."
Dean being dropped from the event also comes after lord mayor of Norwich Karen had made an appearance on Dean's podcast to formally invite the presenters to the ceremony.
The council did not specify which particular content had led to it taking the decision to drop Dean from the event.
Dean had been scheduled to switch on the lights along with Stevie White and Robbie Knox, who co-host the Happy Hour podcast with him.
Dean has since taken to Facebook where he shared a post responding to the news in which he claimed that 'one person complained to the council about my old 'edgy' online videos from 2014'.
The YouTuber has since shared another video to social media where he went into more depth on the clips.
"Even though it was over 12 years ago, I'm not proud of some of the language I used and some of the videos I made," he said.
"The council has informed me that because the switch on is a family event and my old content is not family friendly I'm no longer suitable for the gig.
"I know it's just going up there and pressing a button but it was a real special moment for me. I'm gutted, I'm heartbroken and I'm disappointed."
In the video Dean said that some of his earlier content was 'just stupid', and said that he had made 'outlandish, brash, and edgy' videos.
"I don't know how many times I can apologise for the same thing," he said. "Ultimately I did say stupid stuff online when I was 19 but I promise you guys, I like to think I'm a decent bloke."
Following the cancellation Dean has said that he will meet fans at the Murderers pub in Norwich.
Kit Roberts