The Only Way Is Essex Jessica Wright makes Kim Jong-il gaffe

The Only Way Is Essex star Jessica Wright has caused a stir on Twitter by saying that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il, who died this weekend at the age of 69, should "rest in peace".



The reality TV star made the gaffe after expressing surprise that an appearance on Sky's Sunrise breakfast show had been scrapped to make room for coverage of the communist leader's passing.

"Interview on sky sunrise cancelled because Kim Jong died," she wrote. "Anyway back home for me and James 'Arg' Argent then got a shoot later on!"

When a follower informed her that her condolences may be considered inappropriate, Wright admitted: "Sorry I wasn't sure who [he was]."

However, her revelation failed to prevent a more fiery backlash, with one user calling her "disrespectful" for prioritising her cancelled interview over the world-changing event, and another declaring: "You dont even know who he is you idiot!! More like burn in hell!! Google him bimbo. (sic)"

After asking why people had begun to retweet her message when she "obviously didn't know who he was", Wright attempted to conclude the incident by writing: "God sorry guys I got it wrong ! Mistake!"

Kim Jong-il died of heart failure while riding on a train on Saturday (December 17). He has ruled North Korea since the death of his father in 1994.