Louis Theroux says he wishes he squared up to a far-right activist after being thrown out of his house for questioning his Nazi salutes.
His heated exchange with online troll Beardson Beardly features in episode one of Louis’ new BBC series about the rise of young hipsters who spread racist and sexist messages online.
Beardly – a member of the far-right group America First – has previously been filmed making two Nazi salutes from an open-top car as he left a rally alongside leader Nicholas J Fuentes.
Louis also found a picture of Beardly making the same salute online in front of the US flag. But when the documentary-maker visits his house in Kentucky, Beardly, who wears a Louis Theroux T-shirt, insists he is not a Nazi or white nationalist and claims the offensive gesture was an “accident” while “just trying to wave”.
Viewers will see furious Beardly accusing Louis of “bad journalism” and telling him: “You should get the f*** out of my house.”
Now back in the UK, Louis, 51, said: “I wonder if I left too quickly. It’s his property and if he says ‘leave my property’ I guess I have to leave but part of me thought I should have said ‘why don’t you make me?’ He’s quite small.”
Asked if he could have taken him in a fight, he laughed: “That’s exactly what I’m saying. He was a weedy little guy who spent a long time on his computer.”
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In the film, a surprised Louis says: “Someone who gave Nazi salutes was offended by being asked about them.”
Louis was annoyed at not getting more out of Beardly, 33, who claims to be a non-political “punk rock kid”.
The film also shows
white nationalist Fuentes saying he does not believe women should have the vote, that gay relationships are sinful and that
inter-racial relationships are not appropriate.
The two following episodes in the series focus on hip hop and online porn.
- Louis Theroux’s Forbidden America: Extreme and Online will be shown on BBC2 on Sunday at 9pm*
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