Anne Hegerty angers The Wright Stuff viewers with transphobic comment
The Chase’s Anne Hegerty is more often than not a popular TV figure, but has angered people this week after taking a transphobic swipe while appearing on The Wright Stuff.
Quizmaster Anne, 59, was on the morning show this week (15 March) to discuss the gender pay gap, women’s rights and equality, alongside transgender journalist Paris Lees.
After host Matthew, 52, addressed the issue of a gender pay gap, Anne’s response was that such a pay gap is non-existent. She declared that she wanted to be ‘on record as not really being terribly bothered’ by it.
Paris asked about the societal state of gender: ‘So you don’t think there’s an old boys’ club at the top then?’
To which Anne replied: ‘No, no not really.’
But it was when Paris retorted to say she disagreed, her response angered and shocked viewers. ‘Okie doke. Well, you used to be a boy, you’d know that.’
After a momentary awkward silence in the studio, Matthew swiftly moved on to other things.
However, the people watching at home couldn’t quite believe what they’d just witnessed, expressing their outrage on Twitter.
That was extremely unpleasant and totally uncalled for "You used to be a boy…" #thewrightstuff #ParisLees @ParisLees
— paul donaghy (@phax71) March 15, 2018
Oh dear, the "you used to be a boy" comment, came out of nowhere, unneeded, uncalled for, seemed the comment of a very bitter person #wrightstuff
— George Bernard Shaw (@Melonhead999) March 15, 2018
@parislees I am apalled by Anne's off the cuff crass remark, Well done for rising above it, But hopefuuly you gave her a few chocie words during Ad break
— Lisa V (@repealbsllisa) March 15, 2018
Anne Hegarty: "Well, you used to be a boy. You'd know that." Wow. That was disgusting… #WrightStuff @5WrightStuff
— Daniel Falconer (@DanielJFalconer) March 15, 2018
Shortly after, Paris spoke to the Sun and described the moment as ‘shocking’.
She said: ‘It was so shocking.’
‘The whole studio – the audience fell silent. I don’t think anyone knew what to say. You could have cut the atmosphere with a knife.
‘I was so shocked, I was processing it. I didn’t make a big deal out of it. I love the show and Matthew, and I’m sure she didn’t mean to be malicious. I hope she didn’t mean it to come across the way it did.
‘I didn’t say anything backstage, but everyone else came and checked I was OK. I’m not easily shaken, I’ve had worse in my time, but when you’re on TV, you don’t expect it.’
The show is no stranger to controversy and awkward moments, when just the other week I’m A Celeb finalist Iain Lee threatened to walk off live on an air subsequent left during the break.
Yahoo Celebrity UK has reached out to Anne Hegerty for comment.
Catch The Wright Stuff each morning, at 9.15am, on Channel 5.
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