Punk Icon Idol Upsets Jewish Tv Host With Swastika Comments

[Billy Idol](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/billy-idol) was left tongue-tied on a US TV chat show when he boasted to the Jewish host he used to wear a swastika.

Idol was asked to comment about British royal [Prince Harry](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/prince-harry)'s decision to wear the Nazi symbol on his arm at a recent fancy dress party, when he guested on advertising bigwig DONNIE DEUTSCH's new chat show [The Big Idea](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/the-big-idea) on Tuesday (01FEB05).

But when Idol tried to play down Harry's big mistake and said he too wore a swastika when he was a rebellious teenager, Deutsch took offence.

Idol said, "When we were punk rockers we wore the swastika like the Hell's Angels."

And angry Deutsch cut him short, stating, "I've got a big problem with that, man. Billy, I've got a big problem with that."

Red-faced Idol tried to save face as Deutsch desperately tried to cut to a commercial break.

He rejoined, "I'm not saying, 'Do that now...' I never wore that (swastika) after I was 21 or something. We found out how terrible the sign of the swastika was. We didn't realise.

"We were young kids and all we wanted to do was p\*\*s off the people who fought in the war, who were teaching us. It's one of the most worst symbols in the world."

Deutsch insisted Idol admit he made a mistake wearing the Nazi symbol, even when he was a teenager.

Idol stated, "It's totally a mistake. It's the most hateful symbol in the world. I hate it."

03/02/2005 09:27