Fast food giant KFC has issued an apology after one of its official accounts posted a video appearing to mock a Welsh woman's stammer. The clip featured TikTok influencer Jessie Yendle, from Pontypridd, who has amassed over three and a half million followers by raising awareness about speech impediments.
In the video, Ms Yendle is shown struggling to pronounce a sound before the footage transitions into a dance track accompanied by images of KFC products. The video was viewed more than four million times before it was removed. Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Ms Yendle said the clip 'breaks my heart' and added: 'I don't think they realise the true damage that they've done.'
KFC, whose North Macedonia account was responsible for the post, said it had reached out directly to Ms Yendle to 'apologise for the hurt she has experienced'. A spokesman stated: 'Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and mocking someone for their stammer is simply wrong.' The company also confirmed it is contacting the charity STAMMA and reviewing training procedures with its franchise partner.
This is not the first time Ms Yendle has been targeted. European football club Borussia Dortmund and triathlon organiser Ironman previously apologised for posting similar videos. Speaking about the repeated incidents, she said: 'It makes me wonder if we're going to be having this conversation once again... It's gone too far now.'
