Richard Ayoade has come under fire on social media for a joke he made on Friday’s episode of BBC Have I Got News for You.
The British comedian and actor was criticised by journalist Nicole Lampert, who accused the programme of airing what she viewed as antisemitic remarks.
Ms Lampert shared a clip from the episode on X with the caption: “For @haveigotnews antisemitism is soooooooo funny. Even the audience winces at this joke.”
Her post highlighted how, when the joke was delivered, the studio audience could be heard gasping and wincing rather than breaking into laughter.
Richard Ayoade made the joke on Have I Got News For You
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PAMs Lampert describes herself as a “journalist writing about all things arts & politics” and is a regular commentator and broadcaster, appearing on TalkTV, LBC and GB News, as well as BBC radio programmes and documentaries.
In recent years, she has dedicated a significant amount of her work to covering antisemitism and Israel, driven both by personal experience and the political climate of the Corbyn era.
She writes frequently about contemporary antisemitism and Jewish identity in Britain.
The joke at the centre of the controversy involved Mr Ayoade saying: “As Jeremy Corbyn appears in panto for the first time, a record number of people arrive at the theatre carrying rotten tomatoes,” before the show cut to an image of a crowd of Jewish men.
Journalist Nicole Lampert called out Richard Ayoade for his joke on BBC Have I Got News For You
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@Nicolelampert / Substack
Ms Lampert’s post triggered a wave of reactions online, with many viewers agreeing with her criticism.
“I really hope Ayoade didn’t write that joke himself, I’ve always liked him,” one user wrote., while another added: “This guy’s shtick is that he’s oh-so-clever. Clearly, he isn’t.”
One commenter said: “Antisemitism is allowed to flourish here, on X. This is literally happening right now.”
Another remarked that they had “given up on any BBC comedy years ago.”
“They call it ‘satire’. We call it exposing their hatred,” another viewer remarked.
However, many argued the joke was not antisemitic and that Ms Lampert was overreacting.
“They know a good yet edgy joke when they hear one,” one viewer insisted, to which the journalist replied: “And that isn’t one.”
One commenter asked: “I promise I’m not trying to be difficult here, but I don’t understand why it was antisemitic? I thought the joke was that Jewish people don’t like Jeremy Corbyn. Did I miss something?”
Ms Lampert responded: “I think it’s laughing at us, not with us.”
Others suggested it was “more anti-Corbyn than anti-Semitic,” while another simply said: “I thought it was pretty funny.”
Mr Ayoade, who is married to Lydia Fox, daughter of right-wing politican Laurence Fox, has previously distanced himself publicly from his brother-in-law’s comments on race.
Sources say that in 2020, when Mr Fox dismissed questions about racism on national television, Mr Ayoade told him: “You have never encountered racism.”
The moment was widely interpreted as Mr Ayoade firmly calling out denial of racism, particularly given his own heritage, his father is Nigerian and his mother Norwegian.
This is not the first time the IT Crowd actor has faced backlash over public comments.
Jeremy Corbyn will appear as the ‘Wizard of Oz-lington’
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Pleasance Theatre
In 2023, Mr Ayoade and Jonathan Ross were targeted by trans activists after they reviewed a book by comedy writer Graham Linehan, who has long been the subject of intense criticism over his views on transgender issues.
Mr Ross said of the book: “A must-read book, funny and utterly compelling,” while Mr Ayoade wrote: “His brilliance in prose is equal to his brilliance as a screenwriter.”
Images of the book cover were circulated online and condemned by activists, who criticised the comedians for supporting Linehan.
One user posted: “Huh, I guess Richard Ayoade can go on the list of people who I used to like but now think are ts. Long list. Long fing list.”
The BBC have been contacted for comment.