BBC defends show as Katherine Ryan’s ‘straight white men’ joke sparks complaints

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The BBC has stood by last night’s episode of All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star after a joke cracked by host Katherine Ryan prompted an online backlash.

Comedian Katherine fronts the show, which sees eight jewellers compete to become the next big name in jewellery.

And during the contest, Katherine stopped to chat with Sri Lankan-born designer Tamara.

Katherine urged her to have greater belief in her own abilities, reckoning that she would be more confident if she were a “straight white man.”

“Think about Boris Johnson, how pleased he’d be right now,” she joked.

And while Tamara laughed, some viewers took offence, some even branding it “disgusting.”



Katherine Ryan in All That Glitters
Katherine cracked a joke about the ‘confidence of straight white men’

“Think like a white man? Really? Very inappropriate comment,” another raged.

The BBC has since responded in a statement reading: “Many viewers of this programme will be familiar with Katherine Ryan’s well-established style of comedy after multiple appearances on BBC comedy programmes over the years.

“Comedy is one of the most subjective areas of programming and we can assure you we never set out to offend viewers with anything we show.”



All That Glitters on BBC Two
The show searches for the UK’s next big name in the jewellery biz

And while the joke prompted rage among some, others didn’t take it so seriously and saw the funny side.

Meanwhile, the Mirror’s Sara Wallis reckoned All That Glitters is destined to become a staple of the TV schedule going forward.

“It’s host Katherine Ryan who sparkles the most, bringing glamour, warmth and the obligatory innuendo, whipping up some atmosphere all by herself,” she writes.



Katherine Ryan on All That Glitters
Katherine’s a highlight of the series – brining charm and humour

“Even if you have no interest in watching people hammer, solder and weld, Katherine’s wit and wisdom is reason enough to tune in.”

Next week’s show will see the contestants weld a chain collar, and produce a sweetheart brooch for an officer to take on her next tour of duty.

*All That Glitters airs Tuesdays at 8pm on BBC Two.

Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/bbc-stands-show-after-katherine-23936196

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