ITV has dropped the controversial comedian Daniel O’Reilly's dating show Dapper Laughs after footage emerged of the youngster making reference to the rape of women during a gig.

In footage uncovered by the The Mirror of his stand-up act at London's Scala last month, O’Reilly told the audience: “I filmed six episodes, half an hour each. If it was a guide to rape, I would have done one five-minute episode, come on and go ‘Oi Oi, I’m Dapper Laughs, go down the shops, get some rope, bit of duct tape, rape the bitch, well done, see you later’.”

He later hones in on a female member of the audience and announced: “She’s gagging for a rape.” He continued, “Do you want to come backstage after? Bring two of your mates, you'll need them”.

In the TV show Dapper Laughs, O'Reilly shares similar advice such as "Just show her your penis; if she cries, she’s just playing hard to get”.

A petition asking ITV's chief executive Adam Crozier to prevent the show from returning for a second season has been signed by over 68,000 people, saying “O’Reilly’s work frequently depicts real-life harassment of women and in his new show he offers dating tips to members of the public inspired by his misogynistic views, all under the guise of harmless comedy.”

"This has to stop. Sexual harassment and borderline threatening behaviour towards women must never be defended as either comedy or "harmless banter" nor should young men and women be encouraged to regard sexist behaviour as socially acceptable."

An ITV spokesman said: “We have given careful thought to the recent criticism of the character Dapper Laughs, which has focused on his activities outside of the ITV2 programme, whose content was carefully considered and complied. We have taken the decision that we will not be considering this show for a second series.”

ITV drops ‘Dapper Laughs’ after rape comments come to light