BBC Upholds Complaint over Use of Offensive Word About Victoria Beckham
The broadcaster said the gag was not editorially justified after two viewers complained.
- The BBC has removed a joke comparing Victoria Beckham to a "particularly offensive word" from Have I Got News For You after the Executive Complaints Unit ruled it editorially unjustified.
- During the November 7, 2025 episode, guest host Comedian Katherine Ryan made the remark while discussing a 2013 private email in which Sir David Beckham allegedly used the C-word to describe the UK honours committee.
- Two viewers complained the joke was "gratuitously offensive," prompting the Executive Complaints Unit to conclude that while using the expletive referencing Sir David's alleged emails was justified, equating Victoria to the word was not.
- An edited version of the programme has replaced the original on BBC iPlayer, with the corporation confirming the finding was reported to management regarding BBC Editorial Guidelines compliance.
- This ruling marks a U-turn for the broadcaster, which initially defended the language; the corporation also recently cut 11 sketches featuring Blackface from That Mitchell and Webb Look ahead of its 20th anniversary.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Producer Blasts BBC for Removing Katherine Ryan's Joke About Victoria Beckham and the 'C' Word
Have I Got News for You producer Jimmy Mulville has criticised the BBC for removing Katherine Ryan's joke about Victoria Beckham after complaints and an Executive Complaints Unit investigation
Oxford Mail
thisisoxfordshire.co.ukBBC upholds complaint over offensive Victoria Beckham joke on show
A joke on a BBC panel show has landed the broadcaster in hot water after a complaint was upheld by its Executive Complaints Unit.
Katherine Ryan Speaks Out After BBC Upholds Complaints About Victoria Beckham C-Word Joke
Katherine Ryan has responded after the news that the BBC is upholding complaints over a joke she made while guest hosting Have I Got News For You almost a year ago.During the November 2025 broadcast, Katherine introduced a segment about Sir David Beckham’s knighthood, to which regular panellist Ian Hislop remarked: “He was meant not to get it, wasn’t he? Because he’d been pitching for it. And it was considered bad form to be ‘desperate’.”“That’s…
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