Gogglebox's Siddiqui brothers apologise for 'ISIS' Facebook joke

The photo was uploaded to Facebook with the caption: "ISIS training day"
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Hatty Collier2 August 2016
The Weekender

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Three stars of the hit TV show Gogglebox today apologised after a joke photograph of them appeared on Facebook with the caption “ISIS training day”.

Reality TV brothers Baasit, Raza and Umar Siddiqui posed for a photo dressed in camouflage as they got ready for a day of paintballing.

But the image was reported to police after it was uploaded to Facebook by Raza, 31, with the caption “ISIS training day, look how happy we look.”

This morning, Baasit took to social media to apologise to fans, tweeting: “The image on Facebook was meant to be light-hearted but was clearly a joke that was misjudged.

“We are extremely sorry for any offence caused.”

He is a regular on the Channel 4 reality show with Umar and their father Sid, while Raza has appeared only briefly.

The photograph was reported to police by one of Raza’s Facebook friends.

Several friends commented on the image with jokes about the terrorist organisation, according to The Sun.

Derbyshire Police said it was satisfied no offence had been committed but said the force would “offering suitable words of advice”.

The Siddiquis (Photo: Channel 4)

A spokesperson for the force said: "A member of the public contacted us after a photo of three men at a paintball centre in Derbyshire was uploaded to Facebook, referring to the so-called Islamic State terror group.

"We have examined the photograph and are satisfied that the caption was not intended to be taken seriously, and there was no link to terrorism whatsoever.

"We will be offering suitable words of advice to those who uploaded it; however, no offences have been committed and there will be no further police action."

A representative for Gogglebox said: “The Siddiquis are aware that this post was misjudged and have apologised for their mistake. It will not affect their position on Gogglebox.”

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