‘Ditched’ Dara sees red at Scarlett’s space odyssey
STARGAZING Live’s Dara O’Briain has lashed out at the BBC for allegedly shelving his documentary series with Professor Brian Cox – while funding Scarlett Moffatt’s conspiracy theory podcast.
The show, previously described by the BBC as the “celestial event of the year”, was broadcast live from observatories across the world.
Comedian Dara, 48, presented the astronomy show alongside scientist Professor Cox, 52, informing viewers about the mysteries of space.
But Dara yesterday said he was “trying not to be depressed that, while the BBC doesn’t seem to want to make any more Stargazing Live, they will pay Scarlett to make a podcast about how she doesn’t believe in the Moon landings”.
Scarlett Moffatt Wants To Believe focused on the Gogglebox star claiming Hollywood director Steven Spielberg could have been involved in faking the achievements of the US’s Apollo programme.
Lovable Irishman Dara complained that Scarlett, 29, did not adequately dispel the theories that she discussed on her show.
He posted online: “I think this kind of series is a shame.We left mirrors on the Moon in 1969 that we still bounce lasers off.”
Stargazing Live celebrated the 50th anniversary of the landings last year.
Dara later added: “I want more smart stuff on the telly.”
But a BBC spokesman last night insisted: “Stargazing has not been cancelled and we are open to further series in the future.”
When one of Dara’s followers on social media asked him why he was “taking out his grievances” on Scarlett, he replied: “Because she got paid to do a 10-part series about her favourite conspiracy theories.
“Scarlett is a lovely person but that is just nonsense. For the record, I’ve met Scarlett, she was a guest on Blockbusters, and she is lovely, so please don’t give her any grief. I’ve not tagged her in here.
“I just think this kind of series is a shame. You’ll get no credit from me for personal abuse, though. OK?”
The seven series of Stargazing Live ran between 2011 until 2017 before returning last year for the Moon landings tribute special.