BBC viewers have complained about the use of the expletive ‘c–t’ while Katherine Ryan and Maisie Adam were talking about David Beckham’s investiture on Friday night

The BBC has been criticised for the repeated use of an explosive word during an episode of Have I Got News For You. The word “c**t” while referencing Sir David Beckham and Victoria Beckham

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On Friday night’s episode of the TV show, anchor Katherine Ryan and panellist Maisie Adam used the word while talking about Sir David’s investiture by King Charles. Katherine, 42, began by mentioning an email David allegedly sent his PR team in 2023, calling the honours committee “a bunch of c—-s” and describing the system as a “f—–g joke” while expressing his disappointment at not being knighted then.

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He allegedly wrote: “I expected nothing less. It’s a disgrace to be honest and, if I was American I would of got [sic] something like this 10 years ago.” Commenting on David’s investiture, comedian Maisie, 31, said: “It would have been nice, and maybe poetic if Charles had got his own back, knighting him and going, ‘Arise you c–t.’”

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Then Katherine made a joke that led to complaints on social media, saying, “I don’t know if we are allowed to broadcast the ‘C-word’, but you did reference Victoria Beckham earlier …and we’ll allow that.” After some members of the audience appeared shocked by Katherine’s remark, she said: “I like her really … I didn’t expect that reaction.”

After the official account of Have I Got News For You shared the video on X, many viewers took issue with the choice of language. One wrote: “This show fell off hard. Sad.” Another said: “That was so weak.”

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A third tweeted: “Unacceptable broadcasting of the ‘C’ word. This is a recorded programme, so who at the @BBC felt it was ok not to cut or bleep it out? Really disappointing #BBC.” Another added: “Ok #HIGNFY. ‘I don’t know that we are allowed to broadcast the C word, but you did reference Victoria Beckham earlier, so we’ll allow that.’ What?”

One more said: “The BBC should also be trusted not to allow offensive language like the C word to be broadcast as in Have I Got News for You this evening.” A person posted: “The same BBC that allows the C word to be broadcast during #hignfy, once in connection with Victoria Beckham. Katherine Ryan should be suspended.”

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“I couldn’t believe my ears last night, definitely crossed a boundary there,” one more said. As he officially became Sir David, the former footballer vowed to use his knighthood “for the good of the UK.” Friends of the star said he would not “sit idly back” and plans to accelerate his charity work, and “try and make a difference.”

The pal added: “There are some celebrities who get a knighthood and you don’t hear from them again…but David wants to use this incredible honour to champion the causes he believes in, and raise their profile. He is determined to give back to the UK.”

The football star, 50, who was recognised for his services to sport and charity in a ceremony at Windsor Castle, has described accepting the honour as the “proudest moment” of his career. Sir David has supported a number of charity causes, including serving as a goodwill ambassador for humanitarian aid organisation Unicef since 2005.

The Mirror has reached out to the BBC and Katherine Ryan’s representative for comment.