Jean Kittson's departing swipe at Ronnie
Comedian Jean Kittson has spoken out against her teammate, former Block star Ronnie Caceres, and his tasteless behaviour after she was fired from Celebrity Apprentice Australia.
Kittson said she was “disappointed” that Caceres made a joke that she had dementia in front of several business executives from software company MYOB during her final challenge as the project manager.
“Did you get that? Do you know how to spell that, MYOB?” he asked her. After continuing to speak over her, he joked, “Sorry, she’s got dementia.”
“I didn’t like what happened in the last task with Ronnie,” she said in an exclusive interview with Nine.
“It was disappointing, because before that I hadn’t really seen that side. He really doesn’t have to do that.”
Though Caceres later apologised for his comments and said he was being a “smart a**e”, he went on to admit to the cameras that he was “going to say anything and do anything in my power not to get fired”.
Kittson pointed out that his behaviour was part of a larger issue of how people are treated as they age.
“There’s a storyline that goes… you end up in the over 60s and you’re done for, life’s over,” the 67-year-old said.
“The older you get, the less heard you are, the less seen you are. That’s part of a really big problem in the community.
“I’m really hoping that people just look at me and … I can still be myself. I don’t want to have to take on this role of old lady, or anything.”
In an Instagram post where she reflected on being fired from the show, Kittson made a subtle dig against Caceres, writing: “If you’re looking for a special gift for that certain someone… I recommend a box of d*cks.”
Reflecting on her time in the competition, Kittson described it as a “fantastic journey”.
“Thank you @celebrityapprentice for the opportunity to work with some of the most inspiring, generous and supportive human beings I have ever met,” she wrote.
“It was an honour to represent (Taldumande Youth Services) an essential organisation supporting and caring for our young people and families in crisis.”
Elsewhere in the post she thanked Benji Marshall, who blew up at Caceres after hearing what he said to Kittson.
“After tonight’s episode in particular, once a gentleman always a gentleman, thank you,” Kittson wrote.
Marshall then returned the praise, commenting on her post that she “should be super proud”.
“I thought the box of $-!’Z was hilarious. But you carried yourself with class and respect and made the journey the more fun,” he wrote.
“You did amazing for your charity too which is why we were all there - well most of us anyway!!!!!”
Image: @jeankittson (Instagram)