Louis Smith suspended for two months by British Gymnastics after appearing to mock Islam in shocking Instagram video

LOUIS SMITH has been hit with a two-month suspension by British Gymnastics after appearing to mock Islam.

The Rio 2016 silver medallist and former Strictly star, 27, has been hit with the punishment while teammate Luke Carson was reprimanded.

The Sun told last month how Smith and Carson drunkenly pretended to pray, with Carson filmed shouting "Allahu Akbar".

The video, apparently shot in selfie mode by Smith during a friend’s hotel wedding bash, has been widely passed around online.

In the clip, Smith is shown giggling and holding a drink as Carson takes a hanging rug off the wall.

The medal holder then chortles “Six o’clock prayers” as the friend repeatedly says “Allahu Akbar”.

Carson then kneels on the rug, bowing in mock worship before the pair yell in indecipherable howls.

At that point an elderly female wedding guest enters the frame and sits down next to the friend.

She puts her hand on his shoulder and says: “Actually, you are taking the p***, actually.”

Gymnastics boss Jane Allen said of the punishments: "It is regrettable that following a historic summer of achievement, the organisation finds itself in this difficult position with two high profile members in breach of our standards of conduct.

"Whilst both individuals showed remorse following the incident, we hope in the future they use their profile to have a positive impact on sport and communities."

Smith visited two mosques after the video and admitted being "ignorant to people's religion".

But prior to that he claimed he had been recreating scenes from Disney film Aladdin in the video and was not a racist.