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Kielty's 'gayer' quip sparks complaints
By This is London Last updated at 11:38am on 13.03.07
Patrick Kielty with his Comic Relief Does Fame Academy co-host Claudia Winkleman
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Comic Relief Does Fame Academy host Patrick Kielty has sparked complaints after calling a contestant a "big gayer".
Kielty directed his comment at Radio 1 DJ Colin Murray after he became teary-eyed as he performed on Saturday night.
Three viewers have complained to media watchdog Ofcom and the BBC said it had received a "small number".
The BBC1 show was broadcast live. "We received a small number of complaints following Patrick's comment on the show on Saturday night.
"Patrick's comment was spur of the moment, unscripted and not intended to cause offence.
However, we have reminded Patrick to be more careful during the remaining live shows," a BBC spokeswoman told Mediaguardian.
It echoes the row sparked last year when Radio 1 breakfast DJ Chris Moyles used the word "gay".
The BBC governors' complaints committee cleared Moyles of any offence, saying young people commonly use the term to mean "lame" or "rubbish"
Reader views (6)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Three viewers complained, with Kielty and the other non entity hosting that's probabluy their entire viewing audience isn't it? Who employs this dross to present more dross? Can't we just move on from reality TV and start producing decent programs?
- Trevor Roll, London
Not the first time Kielty has made this sort of remark. A few nights ago he suggested that Fred Macaulay looked like a "gay John Reid" just because he wore a pink shirt! Doesn't the man engage his brain beore opening his gob? Obviously not.
- John, Strood, Kent
I thought he was gay himself.
- Squiz, Islington
Surely this man's 15 minutes of fame are well and truly up. He's neither funny nor appealing to watch. Please, please, please someone at the BBC 'retire' this presenter and give us somebody professional.
- Paul Wilson, London, UK
What are these complainers on about, what a lot of fuss over nothing!
- Helen, London
It beggars belief that Kielty ever got on TV. I assume it was just filling a quota for talentless Irish presenters with no charisma.
- Paul, London
