WRONG STUFF
THE Chase’s Anne Hegerty had an incredibly awkward moment on live TV today when she said transgender journalist Paris Lees “used to be a boy”.
3
In a discussion about the gender pay gap on The Wright Stuff, Anne and Paris – who was born male but transitioned to female while at university - disagreed over ‘old boys clubs’ who didn’t want women earning as much as them.
Paris asked Anne, who has Aspergers: “So you don’t think there’s an old boys club at the top then?”
And The Chase star replied: “No, no, not really. Well, you used to be a boy, you’d know that.”
The audience and fellow panellist Jules Hudson fell silent as Paris stared at Anne open mouthed for several seconds.
After the awkward pause, a visibly shocked Matthew Wright moved on the discussion on to the pay disparity between The Crown’s Matt Smith and Claire Foy.
3
After the incident, viewers were horrified, tweeting their outrage at the show.
Some called for Anne to apologise to Paris, and others expressed admiration for how calm Paris had stayed during the show.
Another called The Governess's comment a "low blow".
Most read in TV and Showbiz
When contacted for comment on the moment, Paris told The Sun Online: “It was so shocking.
“The whole studio – the audience fell silent. I don’t think anyone knew what to say. You could have cut the atmosphere with a knife.
“I was so shocked, I was processing it. I didn’t make a big deal out of it. I love the show and Matthew, and I’m sure she didn’t mean to be malicious.
“I hope she didn’t mean it to come across the way it did.
3
“I didn’t say anything backstage, but everyone else came and checked I was OK.
“I’m not easily shaken, I’ve had worse in my time, but when you’re on TV, you don’t expect it.”
When contacted for comment, Anne’s spokesperson had no comment.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220
Topics