Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: TV And Film, ITV, UK News
Jess Hardiman
Furious Royal Variety Performance viewers have slammed Simon Brodkin over a ‘sick and insensitive’ joke, with people saying it was made ‘in very poor taste’.
Find out what he said to upset people below:
This year’s gala show aired last night on ITV, with host Bradley Walsh taking us through performances from the likes of Cher, Zara Larsson, McFly, Paloma Faith, Rick Astley and Hannah Waddingham, along with comedy from Tom Allen, Rosie Jones and more.
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The pre-recorded event, which raises money for the Royal Variety Charity, had Prince William and Kate giggling away in the crowd, with The Crown Princess and Prince Daniel of Sweden also in attendance.
However, some viewers at home weren’t laughing at one point, having been left upset by an ‘insensitive’ joke by comic Simon Brodkin.
The star has previously his headlines for high profile stunts, having famously handed Theresa May a P45 at the 2017 Tory Party Conference and thrown cash at FIFA President Sepp Blatter during a press conference.
During his set at this year’s Royal Variety Performance show, he referenced the outbreak of Covid, which some believe stemmed from a laboratory in Wuhan.
"I am the guy that did all the stunts and people always want to know if my stunts ever go wrong,” he told the crowd.
“Occasionally, late 2019 I broke into this laboratory in Wuhan. Sorry."
The joke seemed to go down well with those in the audience, but many people watching at home didn’t see the funny side of his comments.
"Sorry, but jokes about Covid are in poor taste, we lost a family member to it,” one tweeted. “I’m a nurse and worked through it too, terrible times.”
Someone else fumed: "HOW dare you make a DISGUSTING joke about the pandemic? I will be making a complete Ofcom about this you should be ashamed of yourself."
Another said: "Very distasteful and insensitive joke about the Wuhan Labs. Many people lost their lives to Covid."
A fourth added: "Was Simon Brodkin making a joke about Covid?? The joke about him breaking to a laboratory if so that's not funny that's sick!!"
Defending Brodkin, one Twitter user wrote: “Why don't you put your effort into being angry at our government rather than a comedian who is entertaining people? I honestly don't get people today.”
Another agreed: “Humour can be a helpful coping mechanism for some, even in dark times. Instead of directing your anger towards him, hold the government & Boris accountable for their handling of the pandemic.”
Tyla has reached out to Simon Brodkin, while ITV declined to comment.