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DNA test punch-up on 'appalling' Trisha show
Daily Telegraph ^ | April 26 | David Sapsted

Posted on 04/26/2004 7:59:03 PM PDT by jjbrouwer

The television show Trisha was branded "an appalling example of popular culture" yesterday after the conviction of a teenager for assault during a recording.

Anthony Sampson, 19, punched his girlfriend's father in the head after the ITV show - which revels in the sort of personal confrontations pioneered in America by Jerry Springer - revealed DNA tests which showed he was not the father of a baby he thought was his own.

Simon Nicholls, who defended Sampson at Norwich magistrates, condemned the daytime show, which is presented by Trisha Goddard.

"This young man spent four months believing he was the father of that child and then discovered on television he wasn't," he said. "Have we not got to the lowest common denominator when we reveal by DNA tests on television whether someone is or is not the father of a child? It is absolutely appalling."

Mr Nicholls said Sampson was still with his girlfriend and treated the baby, Leon, as he would his biological son. "He loves that little boy to bits," he added.

Sampson is the first person in Britain to receive a conviction for brawling on a daytime show. The Liverpudlian attacked Edward Pines, his girlfriend's father who does not approve of Sampson, when he laughed at the DNA disclosure.

After admitting assault at Friday's hearing Sampson was sent to Birkenhead magistrates for sentencing where he is awaiting sentencing for attacking a waiter.

A spokesman for Trisha said shows which included DNA testing were popular. He did, however, admit that the incident, which occurred in December and was not broadcast, was "regrettable".


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Humor; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: crime; daytimetelevision; maury; springer; tackycrap; trash; trisha

1 posted on 04/26/2004 7:59:04 PM PDT by jjbrouwer
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To: jjbrouwer

A bit of an affray?
2 posted on 04/26/2004 8:02:12 PM PDT by cavan
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To: cavan
Anthony Sampson, 19, punched his girlfriend's father in the head after the ITV show - which revels in the sort of personal confrontations pioneered in America by Jerry Springer - revealed DNA tests which showed he was not the father of a baby he thought was his own.

They briefly gave Springer a show on Britain's Channel Five but it was a bit watered down.

To be fair though, it is usually the Maury show which does the "Who's the Father?" DNA stunts.

3 posted on 04/26/2004 8:05:23 PM PDT by jjbrouwer (Chelsea for the Champions League!)
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