Jo Brand is blasted over f ****** Queen outburst on the BBC
SHE has only just been censured for a previous tasteless joke on the BBC.
Now outspoken comedian Jo Brand has sparked more fury after using a expletive to describe the Queen during the latest episode of BBC1’s Have I Got News For You.
The star, who was hosting Friday night’s show, was branded ‘offensive’ for her four-letter comment, which aired only minutes after the 9pm watershed.
Ms Brand was discussing the new book by Royal dresser Angela Kelly, and asked: ‘Why does the Queen like wearing bright colours?’
The Left-wing comedian answered her own question, saying: ‘Apparently because it helps her stand out in a crowd. That and the fact that she’s the f****** Queen.’
The remark sparked dozens of complaints on social media, with some viewers calling for Ms Brand to be banned.
History professor and Ukip founder Alan Sked tweeted: ‘ Jo Brand insults our head of state by referring to her as “the f****** Queen”. Is this what our BBC license [sic] fee pays for? The BBC has already had to warn Brand. Now time to ban her?
‘There’s free speech and there’s abusing your position as a TV celebrity to mouth obscenities.’
One viewer tweeted to Ofcom, telling the broadcasting watchdog: ‘I would like to complain that on a BBC program [ si c] Jo Brand referred to our head of state as “the f****** Queen”. I found this to be deeply offensive.’
Another member of the public sent a message to BBC directorgeneral Tony Hall saying: ‘ See how many people are disgusted by Jo Brand.’ Other viewers wrote: ‘The BBC has already had to warn Brand. Now time to ban her,’ and ‘Please get that awful woman off the programme, BBC.’
This is only the latest in a series of controversies involving 62-yearold Ms Brand’s appearances on the Corporation’s programmes.
In June, she joked on Radio 4 about acid being thrown at politicians, prompting accusations that she was ‘ inciting violence’. Her comments on t he panel show Heresy came after a number of Right-wing politicians, including Nigel Farage, had been splattered with milkshakes thrown by protesters. She said: ‘Why bother with a milkshake when you could get some battery acid?’
Police looked into the alleged incitement to violence, but dropped the investigation.
Ms Brand later apologised for the remark, saying: ‘Looking back, it probably was somewhat a crass and ill-judged joke that might upset people. I’m sorry.’
The BBC eventually upheld some of the complaints, deciding the joke ‘went beyond what was appropriate’. However they said it did not amount to incitement as it was ‘not intended to be taken at face value’.
In another example of poor taste humour, she once joked: ‘I’ve got a soft spot for Nick Clegg. Face down on Hackney marshes.’
Ms Brand’s agent did not respond to requests for comment last night. The BBC declined to comment.