– Richard Ayoade and Jonathan Ross praised Graham Linehan’s new book
– This sparked an online pile-on from activists
– India Willoughby posted online: “Well that’s Richard Ayoade in the bin”
Comedians Richard Ayoade and Jonathan Ross have come under fire from trans activists after they commended Father Ted writer Graham Linehan’s new book, ‘Tough Crowd’. Both provided positive quotes for the book’s front cover, prompting outrage from some members of the LGBTQ+ community. Mr Linehan is a long-time target of activists, and his planned appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe festival was shut down.
Bad Writing Takes tweeted, “LGBTQ+ fans have been shocked and disappointed to discover that along with the usual collection of transphobes, Graham ‘Glinner’ Linehan’s new book contains an endorsement from Richard Ayoade.” Jen Ives announced, “Just tore down my topless Richard Ayoade poster.” Trans woman and broadcaster India Willoughby wrote, “Well that’s Richard Ayoade in the bin, along with already confirmed TERF [trans-exclusionary radical feminist] Jonathan Ross. What is wrong with these people?”
The incident is part of a larger trend of popular entertainment stars facing cancel culture for their perceived missteps.
Comedians Richard Ayoade and Jonathan Ross today joined a rapidly growing list of popular entertainment stars whom trans activists are trying to cancel after they commended Father Ted writer Graham Linehan’s new book. The Mail has more.
The pair’s ‘crime’ – according to the campaigners – was to review a book written by controversial comedy writer Graham Linehan.
Mr. Linehan is a long-time target of activists, who shut down his planned appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe festival. He performed elsewhere in the city.
Last night, he announced he had written a book about his experiences of going from the widely-celebrated writer of Father Ted and The IT Crowd to being cancelled.
The front cover of ‘Tough Crowd‘ features two quotes from Mr. Ayoade and Mr. Ross.
Mr. Ayoade, who shot to fame playing Maurice Mosse on The IT Crowd, said: “His brilliance in prose is equal to his brilliance as a scriptwriter.”
Mr. Ross’s featured remark said: “A must-read book – funny and utterly compelling.”
The innocuous comments sparked an online pile-on from activists directed at the two comedians.
Bad Writing Takes fumed on Twitter: “LGBTQ+ fans have been shocked and disappointed to discover that along with the usual collection of transphobes, Graham ‘Glinner’ Linehan’s new book contains an endorsement from Richard Ayoade.
“Ayoade has not publicly endorsed transphobic or anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry before.’”
Jen Ives claimed: “Just tore down my topless Richard Ayoade poster.”
Trans woman and broadcaster India Willoughby posted online: “Well that’s Richard Ayoade in the bin, along with already confirmed TERF [trans-exclusionary radical feminist] Jonathan Ross.
“What is wrong with these people?”
Worth reading in full.
Buy the book here.
