Joe Lycett’s ‘bemusing’ appearance on Laura Kuenssberg’s new politics show ‘didn’t display bias’ according to BBC chief-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro

Caption: On BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, comedian Joe Lycett contributes
CREDIT: BBC

BBC director-general Tim Davie has said Joe Lycett’s bewildering and hilarious appearance on Laura Kuenssberg’s new politics show did not display any bias.

Davie, 55, said British journalist Kuenssberg, 46, conducted herself in an ‘exemplary fashion’ during her the show, where comedian Lycett, 34, appeared to sarcastically praise the new Prime Minister Liz Truss.

The first episode of the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg made headlines after the stand-up jokingly claimed during the programme he was ‘very right-wing’ and that he felt ‘reassured’ following Truss’ live interview in the studio.

Discussing impartiality within the BBC during a Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Committee meeting on Tuesday, Mr Davie said he did not think having Mr Lycett booked for the show displayed ‘BBC bias in the slightest’ as he felt ‘the audience saw it for what it was.’

‘We can debate exactly what you debated about whether it was the right booking, but what I will say is Laura conducted herself, as the BBC host, I thought in an exemplary fashion in a slightly difficult situation. We move on,’ he said, describing the appearance as ‘bemusing’.

Birmingham-born Lycett, who appeared on the programme before Ms Truss was announced as Boris Johnson’s successor, has become known for performing a number of public stunts, including changing his name to Hugo Boss.

Joe appeared on the panel alongside Cleo Watson and Emily Thornberry (Picture: BBC)

The comedian also fronts Channel 4’s consumer rights show, Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back, where he takes on large corporations on behalf of the consumer.

Following his appearance on Kuenssberg’s show, he appeared on Matt Chorley’s Times Radio show to continue his support for Truss, and then tweeted his delight when the announcement came through.

Reflecting on the impartiality of the BBC’s content as a whole, Mr Davie said: ‘We do have hundreds of thousands of hours of output… and overall, I think we are delivering well, I do think that and it’s important that we’re proportional about this.’

A committee member also spoke about how sports pundit Gary Lineker, one of the BBC’s highest earners, has on occasion voiced his opinion on political matters on social media.

Liz Truss beat Rishi Sunak by 21,000 votes in the leadership race (Picture: EPA)

In 2020 new guidelines were set out, alongside training, aiming to “ensure the highest possible standards of impartiality” among staff at the broadcaster as it clamped down on presenters’ use of social media.

The editorial guidelines for staff state clearly that ‘nothing should appear on their social media accounts which undermines the integrity or impartiality of the BBC.’

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They further add that employees should not disclose publicly how they vote or express support for any political party, and also say that staff should not ‘advocate any particular position on a matter of public policy, political or industrial controversy, or any other ‘controversial subject.’

MORE : Joe Lycett leads reactions after Liz Truss announced as next Prime Minister: ‘Smashed it babe’

MORE : Joe Lycett claims Liz Truss had ‘face like a slapped a**e’ off-camera after he rinsed her on Laura Kuenssberg show

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