Katherine Ryan has been slammed by some viewers for referring to David Beckham as a c**t while hosting Have I Got News for You.
The comedian has long made it clear that she’ll always take the most ‘extreme view’ in a situation, as it’s the funniest (which is fairly understandable logic for a comedian to have), and made the remarks while hosting a comedy show.
Ryan was at the helm of Friday night’s (7 November) episode of Have I Got News for You (HIGNFY), the BBC quiz show that looks back on the week’s top stories and news.
And as conversation turned to the now Sir Beckham’s investiture by King Charles, viewers weren’t so happy with the language used.
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The footballer has been longing for a knighthood for quite some time, describing it as his ‘proudest moment’ on Tuesday when he was finally knighted.
But a few years ago, there was some controversy as emails he had sent in 2017 appeared to ‘sabotage’ his previous chances.
Beckham is alleged to have called the honours committee ‘unappreciative c**ts’ and said it was a ‘disgrace’ that he had been snubbed from the New Year’s Honours List. He had slammed the reports as his rep said it gave a ‘deliberately inaccurate picture’.
And anyway, it all seems fine now as he’s finally got his Sir title. But obviously, the show had to poke a bit of fun at this as they discussed the reports and mentioned how Beckham had previously called them the C-word.
Maisie Adam was also a guest on the show, and the comedian continued the joke as she said: “It would have been nice, and maybe poetic if Charles had got his own back knighting him and going, ‘Arise you c**t’.”
Then, really ramping up viewers, Ryan added the joke: “I don't know if we are allowed to broadcast the "C" word, but you did reference Victoria Beckham earlier ...and we'll allow that.”
As the audience at the pre-recorded show gave a mix of shock and stifled laughter, the comedy queen said: “I like her really – I didn’t expect that reaction.”
But some viewers were fully kicking off over the offensive language.
“That’s really offensive language,” one said, as a second weighed in: “Something very odd and jarring about hearing the c word (cunt) on Have I Got News for You.”
However, some said they ‘thoroughly enjoyed the use of it’ as Ryan’s fans wrote on Instagram: “You had us creased last night, fantastic episode and also my fave word!?”
Another said: “It’s just a word. Get a grip. Far worse things going on.”
LADbible has contacted the BBC and Ryan's management for comment.
Topics: David Beckham, BBC, TV and Film
Jess Battison