BBC Upholds Complaints Over Victoria Beckham Slur on Have I Got News For You
The BBC's executive complaints unit (ECU) has upheld complaints about a profanity linked to Victoria Beckham from an episode of Have I Got News For You, which aired on November 7 last year, hosted by Katherine Ryan. During the show, an email supposedly from Sir David Beckham included the offensive term. Two viewers found this remark inappropriate. The BBC conceded there was no reason to connect Victoria Beckham with that word. The ECU informed BBC Content management of its findings, and an edited version of the episode will soon be available on iPlayer. While David Beckham's use of the term was justified editorially, the ECU ruled there was no justification for the comment related to Victoria Beckham.
Key facts
- The BBC's executive complaints unit upheld complaints about a swear word broadcast in connection with Victoria Beckham.
- The episode of BBC One's Have I Got News For You aired on 7 November last year.
- Comic and presenter Katherine Ryan hosted the episode.
- The show featured an email allegedly sent by Sir David Beckham containing the offensive word.
- Two viewers complained the remark was gratuitously offensive.
- The ECU found no justification for a comment presenting Victoria Beckham as equivalent to a particularly offensive word.
- An edited version of the programme will replace the current version on iPlayer.
- The ECU said BBC Editorial Guidelines require any offence to be editorially justified.
Entities
Artists
- Victoria Beckham
- Sir David Beckham
- Katherine Ryan
Institutions
- BBC
- BBC One
- Have I Got News For You
- BBC Content
- executive complaints unit
Locations
- United Kingdom