BBC upholds complaints over Victoria Beckham slur on Have I Got News For You

Image source, BBC/Hat Trick By Paul Glynn Culture reporter Published 11 minutes ago Complaints about the broadcast of a swear word in connection with Victoria Beckham during an episode of BBC One's Have I Got News For You have been upheld, the corporation's executive complaints unit (ECU) has ruled.

The show from 7 November last year, hosted by comic and presenter Katherine Ryan, featured an email allegedly sent by Sir David Beckham in which the c-word was used.

Ryan told the show's panellists: "I don't know that we are allowed to broadcast the c-word, but you did reference Victoria Beckham earlier and we'll allow that."

Two viewers complained that this was gratuitously offensive, and the BBC said there was no justification for a comment which "presented Victoria Beckham as equivalent to a particularly offensive word".

The ECU finding has been reported to the management of BBC Content.