Journalist Defends Comedian's Slur, Calls Apology 'Brilliant'

Journalist Marina Hyde has defended comedian Katherine Ryan's on-air slur directed at Victoria Beckham, stating that she "don't think it's that big of a deal." Hyde, co-hosting "The Rest Is Entertainment" podcast with writer and producer Richard Osman, praised Ryan's subsequent apology as "brilliant."

Ryan, 43, made the remark, which some viewers deemed a "c-word slur," during a November 2025 episode of the BBC show "Have I Got News For You." The BBC's Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) later upheld two complaints, ruling that while a fellow panelist's use of the word was justified in referencing David Beckham's alleged use of the term, Ryan's comment lacked editorial justification.

Hyde argued that the BBC should have dismissed the complaints, noting that "you can find two people who find anything gratuitously offensive." She added, "People complain that 'Have I Got News For You' is not near the knuckle enough. And then when they do something like this, this happens." Hyde also commented on the difficulty of judging humor out of context, agreeing with Osman that "It's so hard to understand a joke when you read about it. And that tells you everything... which is context."

Ryan offered a public apology to Victoria Beckham on Friday, explaining that at the time of filming, she was "suffering from a condition called matrescence" and had given birth just ten days prior. She also stated that she had sent a message to Victoria Beckham "to make it clear it was a stupid joke and I didn't mean any harm towards you at all."

Osman highlighted the BBC's obligation to investigate complaints as part of its charter, acknowledging that "if you investigate that joke and you see it in black and white and you take it slightly out of context, I guess it's hard to say anything other than 'yeah, I suppose it is sort of offensive.'"

Both Hyde and Osman commended Ryan's handling of the situation. "Her apology is just brilliant," Richard added. "That's how to own something. She's so smart." Hyde agreed, stating, "Does Victoria Beckham care? No, I'm certain she doesn't. Does Katherine Ryan come out well out of it? Yes, she does."

The incident occurred during a segment discussing David Beckham's alleged use of the c-word in an email to his publicist in 2013, where he reportedly expressed frustration with the honors committee. Ryan had remarked, "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."