Dale takes a tumble and they’re having a laugh!

Is it wrong to laugh at the misfortune of others?

In true banana skin fashion:

Author and broadcaster Iain Dale was left unable to walk after he fell off stage into the orchestra pit following a talk about his latest book.

He tweeted that he felt "like a total plonker" after tumbling while leaving the Buxton Festival stage on Saturday.

And here’s the incident as described by the man himself:

On Saturday lunchtime I chaired a ninety minute panel with Adam Boulton, Colleen Graffy and Justin Webb on my book The Presidents. This happened in the Buxton Opera House, a truly beautiful venue. There were around 350 people in the audience and they seemed to be enjoying it very much.

And then it happened. I concluded the panel and started to walk off stage in front of the table. The lights had been dimmed so it was quite difficult to see. I then felt my right foot go from under me.  I put my foot down and there was nothing there. I plunged into the orchestra pit. I remember hearing gasps and screams from the audience as I descended into the darkness.

Twitter, naturally, divided into two camps - those who were sympathetic and those who considered it divine retribution for past crimes.

Meanwhile Dale’s fellow speakers on that Buxton stage - Today presenter Justin Webb, Adam Boulton (former political editor, Sky News) and former diplomat Colleen Graffy - couldn’t help seeing the funny side and were soon posting on Twitter (below).

I too couldn’t help laughing, especially when I read Dale’s account, so perhaps it’s a natural reaction as long as the injuries sustained are relatively minor.

To be honest I’ve always seen humour, even in the darkest situations, and I’m very happy to laugh at myself and others.

I’m sure there’s a line you shouldn’t cross but sometimes it’s hard to know where it is, especially when you’re on stage and the lights have been dimmed.

Full story here - Broadcaster Iain Dale falls off stage at Buxton Festival (BBC News) and Taking the plunge into an orchestra pit (Iain Dale).

Update: Iain tweets that he ‘can now put a little bit of weight on my right leg, so can walk a short distance on crutches’.

Good news and get well soon!