A video of one of Frankie Boyle's early stand up shows has been circulating and it contains what is considered one of his most controversial jokes. You can watch it below:
The 49-year-old outspoken comic, who is known for slamming the royals, conservative MPs and Olympic medalists, joked about 'emotionally unstable, depressed, suicidal' people taking part in a new athletic event.
The Scotsman was talking about the things he dislikes about TV and as he began to tell the joke, he said: "The thing I hate the most on television is athletics because all the events are so resolutely pointless, aren't they?
"It's like 'oh oh let's see who can jump the furthest and let's see who can jump the highest... and pole vaulting, let's see who can jump the highest - with a big stick'."
He went on to add: "I think they need to introduce a new event to try and spice things up a bit. I think they should introduce an event to see who can jump from the greatest height. It would spice things up a bit.
"Not only would it liven it up, it would also get emotionally unstable, depressed, suicidal people a chance to win something for their country when they die."
Ouch. Although the audience didn't seem to mind too much and laughed at the punchline.
Unsurprisingly, it's not the first time Boyle has made a joke that certain people don't appreciate. Back in 2008, he took aim at Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Adlington when he compared her to looking at yourself in the back of a spoon.
He said: "The thing that nobody really said about Rebecca Adlington is that she looks pretty weird. She looks like someone who’s looking at themselves in the back of a spoon.
"And then, when she arrived back on the flight she met her boyfriend. Did you see her boyfriend? He was really attractive. He was like a male model. So from that I have deduced that Rebecca Adlington is very dirty – I mean if you just take into account how long she can hold her breath…”
Speaking about people being protected when it comes to the right to offend, Boyle told Broadcast back in 2019: "There are a lot of misconceptions about comedy; people often confuse it with the way they use humour in their own life, as small talk."
He added: "Comedy is a type of acceptable rudeness, and people pointing out bits they personally find rude verges on tautology."
Featured Image Credit: The Comedy NetworkTopics: TV and Film
Rebecca Shepherd