Lee Mack responds after coming under fire for NTA joke about Jill Scott
Topics: UK News, TV And Film, Entertainment, This Morning, Holly Willoughby
Dominic Smithers
Featured Image Credit: ITV/ Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images
Topics: UK News, TV And Film, Entertainment, This Morning, Holly Willoughby
Lee Mack has spoken out after coming under fire over a joke he made about Jill Scott.
The comedian was among the winners during the National Television Awards this week, taking home the gong for best Quiz Game Show.
Presenting the award on the night were England legend Scott and comic Mo Gilligan.
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And after receiving the rather large and phallic trophy, Mack couldn't help himself but have a joke at the Euros champion's expense.
The 55-year-old quipped: "To receive a sex toy like this off Jill Scott is an absolute pleasure."
But while those in the audience fell about laughing at the cheeky gag, some watching on back at home seemed a bit miffed by it... and Mack's general abilities as a comedian, tbh.
And, as is often the case these days, they raced to social media to make their feelings known.
“Well Lee Mack is gonna get cancelled now," wrote one.
Another said: "I don’t know what the joke is but I see Lee Mack and I know it’s not funny."
"Watching Lee Mack trying to be funny is just painful #NTAs," put a third.
Well, now, the man himself has had his say on the apparent outrage over his comments.
Speaking to The Sun, Mack said it was just a joke and he's not that bothered what people at home think, it's the audience in the room that matters.
"My job as a stand-up comedian is to take the mickey out of the contestants," he said.
"I decided never to be too cheesy with it. I just wanted to try to have a bit of a laugh.
"It's just like a gig, especially to 100 people. That was most of my Edinburgh Fringe shows back in the early days to 100 people.
"It's quite an intimate laugh and the one thing is the audience really can take it, you can take the mickey out of them.
"It's the people who are watching who get offended, not the audience. They're always OK about it."
Elsewhere during the glitzy celeb bash, the This Morning team came in for some flack when they were introduced.
As host Joel Dommett introduced Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary to say hello, they were met with boos from the crowd that left them looking noticeably uncomfortable.
Holly smiled nervously at the camera, while Dermot awkwardly grabbed for his bag of sweets.
But, they weren't the only one who'd received a frosty reception, as Piers Morgan was also booed by the crowd, who took it in his stride by laughing and shaking his head.
And, to add salt to the wound, This Morning lost the title of 'Best Daytime Show' for the first time in 12 years.
The show was beaten by BBC's The Repair Shop, with its host Jay Blades noting it was a 'rarity' for them to take home the prize.