Comedian Daniel O'Reilly has claimed he will retire his 'Dapper Laughs' character after massive public backlash has resulted in ITV cancelling his TV show.

O'Reilly appeared on BBC Newsnight to discuss the criticism levelled at his YouTube videos, stage shows and ITV dating show 'Dapper Laughs: On the Pull.'

Saying the character "wrecks my life to a certain extent," he claims he got carried away by the character and only realises now that he went too far. Responding to the accusation that he encouraged violence against women, he said he "didn't think it did at the time" and that 'Dapper Laughs' was an exaggerated character who didn't represent his own views.

The comedians 'lad banter' style humour has been accused of misogyny, promoting rape culture and encouraging sexual harassment. His jokes typically revolve around sex and 'pulling' women.

Examples include "Just show her your penis. If she cries, she’s just playing hard to get,” and "Remember, it’s only sexual harassment if she’s more attractive then [sic] you.”

His TV show was pulled after a video emerged from a stage act where he tells a female audience member that she was "gagging for a rape." 

O'Reilly was due to play 12 shows across the UK, which have now been pulled. Though O'Reilly claims on Newsnight that this was his decision, the Telegraph reports that the decision was made by his promoters SJM.

 The full interview from last night is below.