My confrontation with TV’s sexual predator, by panel show comedian
COMEDIAN Katherine Ryan has revealed how she bravely confronted a colleague on a popular television programme because she believes he is a sexual predator.
In a shocking confession, she says that she also made the allegation about his behaviour in front of others working on the show.
Miss Ryan, 38, made the courageous revelation that there is what she considers to be an abuser working in the television industry during an interview with fellow comic Sara Pascoe, who she says is also aware of the man’s identity.
Speaking to Miss Pascoe during her new Amazon Prime series Backstage With Katherine Ryan, the Canadian star – who has appeared on shows including Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Mock The Week, Would I Lie To You? and a League Of Their Own – said: ‘I’ve done a show with a person who I and you believe is a predator. What am I supposed to do?
‘I’ve thought about that, but it’s such a messy thing because I don’t have proof – what, am I not supposed to feed my children because of someone else?’
Miss Pascoe replied: ‘Also in that instance that you’re referencing it was about raising it.’ That prompted Miss Ryan to admit: ‘I raised it. I called him a predator to his face and in front of everyone every day.’
Meanwhile, Miss Pascoe revealed that she had reported a male celebrity to a television channel after receiving a phone call from a viewer who claimed to have been raped by him.
Miss Pascoe, 41, said: ‘Have you ever done a job and then someone’s contacted you and said: “That’s my rapist”? I had it on a job recently where I’ve had to go to the channel, and it’s that whole thing because you feel such a sense of responsibility but you also want it to be dealt with well... it’s so compliSLIP cated.’ ITV and Channel 4 declined to comment. The BBC declined to comment. Sky was also contacted.
Miss Ryan joins a long line of high-profile women who have made similar allegations against sexual predators.
They include Gwyneth Paltrow and Cara Delevingne – who both shared their experiences of abuse by disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein.
Several high-profile British celebrities have been the subject of MeToo allegations, while more than 10,000 current and former secondary school students in the UK have shared their experiences of sexual harassment and rape culture anonymously on the website Everyone’s Invited.
Miss Ryan has been a long-term advocate for feminist causes including within her own industry. The comedian has spoken up about often being the only female comedian on panel shows, pay inequality and sexual harassment.
The comedian releases her series on Amazon today. In it, she interviews other comedians including Sue Perkins, Joel Dommett, Rob Beckett, Sarah Millican and Jimmy Carr.
‘Feel a sense of responsibility’