Belfast comedian criticised for rape 'joke' about assault victim
Belfast comedian Vittorio Angelone has faced sharp criticism from advocacy groups and content creator Rebecca Goodwin for making a malicious rape joke about her on a podcast. Goodwin, who had previously reported a sexual assault to the police, expressed deep distress that her name was used as a punchline. Angelone has since issued a public and direct apology.
Why it matters
Highlights ongoing debates around digital harassment, accountability for public figures, and the ethics of comedy regarding real-world victims of sexual assault.
Image source, Rebecca Need-Menear Image caption, Vittorio Angelone has faced criticism for his remarks
A Belfast comedian has been criticised for making a rape "joke" about a woman who had recently spoken publicly about being the victim of a sexual assault.
Vittorio Angelone referred to content creator Rebecca Goodwin in a remark about rape which he made in a podcast episode in 2025.
Goodwin, who had previously reported a rape to police, said it will "forever live with me that it was allowed for my name to be used as the punchline of a malicious "joke" about such a serious issue".
Angelone has since apologised on social media, and said he has reached out to Goodwin and apologised directly.
Goodwin had claimed that Angelone posted videos of the "joke" on his social media accounts in recent days.
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