Ray Parlour apologises for 'insensitive' Kevin Campbell tribute post - 'I'm devastated'

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has apologised on social media for his tribute to Kevin Campbell, the former Gunners and Everton striker who passed away at the age of 54.

Campbell's life has been celebrated by the entire footballing world after the tragic news broke on Saturday, but Parlour has deemed it necessary to say sorry as he was "devastated" that a deleted post was not well received.

"I apologise if I have upset anyone in my last post I wholeheartedly didn’t mean to come across (as) insensitive," Parlour wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). "I loved Kevin and I’m honestly devastated for his family and friends at this terrible time I’m sending all my love to them and anyone who came across this amazing man."

Earlier in the day when he first heard of Campbell's passing, Parlour had penned an emotional message to the Sky Sports pundit and his family: "Devastated hearing the news this morning RIP Kevin. Great player and even nicer Fella. Thoughts with his family at this tough time."

It is not the first time that Parlour has landed himself in hot water when trying to pay his respects, after he bizarrely downed a 'Cobra Bomb' on video when Queen Elizabeth II's death was announced nearly two years ago.

As Parlour poured himself a drink in honour of the late Royal, he said: “What a lovely lady and it’s so sad, we are going to miss her dearly I promise you. So it’s got to be a Cobra bomb for The Queen, I am sure she didn’t drink Cobra bombs, she had a little tipple somewhere along the line but I don’t know what she usually drinks."

Close friend and an Arsenal team-mate of Campbell, Ian Wright, had earlier come close to tears on ITV when asked about his former strike partner.

"I can't really go too deep into it, it's very fresh," Wright said live during the broadcaster's coverage of Euro 2024. "I only heard this morning. Obviously my best wishes and condolences go to his family. It's too soon for me to speak about it, anytime I start talking about it I start to well up. He meant the whole world to a lot of people."

Campbell's son Tyrese, who played for Stoke in the Championship last season, explained that his pain was "indescribable" and thanked the community for their many messages of love and support.

"I appreciate my Dad was admired by many and the outpouring of love has been some comfort for us as a family, so thank you for that at such a difficult time," Tyrese wrote on his Instagram story.

"The pain of this is indescribable and as a son you look at your Dad as invincible. He is my idol, the one who I wanted to be when I grew up."