Slim-Fast dumps Whoopi over anti-Bush jibes

The Slim-Fast diet drink company has dumped Hollywood actress Whoopi Goldberg from its advertising after she mocked US president George Bush at a political rally.

“We are disappointed by the manner in which Ms Goldberg chose to express herself and sincerely regret that her recent remarks offended some of our consumers. Ads featuring Ms Goldberg will no longer be on the air,” Slim-Fast general manager Terry Olson said.

Goldberg took part in a recent Democratic fund-raiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York, joining performers such as John Mellencamp, Jon Bon Jovi, Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange and John Leguizamo.

At one point in a speech mocking the Bush administration, Goldberg used his surname as a sexual reference.

The event raised €7.5m for the John Kerry-John Edwards presidential ticket. Both Kerry and Edwards attended, but neither commented about the jokes made by the celebrities toward Bush.

Goldberg’s representatives did not immediately return a call for comment.