Chris O'Dowd voices support for controversial TV writer Graham Linehan: ‘His views are not peripheral'
Comedian Chris O'Dowd has voiced support for Graham Linehan, the Irish TV writer who claims to have become the 'most hated man on the internet' following repeated accusations of bigotry and transphobia.
O'Dowd starred in the Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd, which Linehan created, between 2006 and 2013. Linehan is also known for creating the Irish priest sitcom Father Ted and is listed as one of the co-creators of BBC sitcom Motherland.
Over the past several years, Linehan has become known for sharing anti-transgender rhetoric online, and has attracted heavy criticism from LGBT+ groups for characterising the trans rights movements as 'paedophilic', branding individual critics 'groomers'. Linehan has claimed that his views on trans rights have led to a blacklisting from the entertainment industry, as well as the dissolution of his marriage.
Speaking to The Times in a new interview, O'Dowd described Linehan as 'the best comedy writer' he had worked with, and claimed that Linehan's views were 'not peripheral'.
'I haven't seen him in a few years, I text him every now and again,' O'Dowd remarked. 'I have people come up to me and tell me that I've changed their life because of this show that I was really a small part in. And so I always get in touch with him and let him know, 'I just want you to know how much f***ing love I get for your work.' I wish he was writing more, and I wish he was in the industry more. I think he's the best comedy writer I've worked with.
'I don't necessarily want to get into his views,' he continued, 'but I do think that it's a shame that more people don't go and talk to him about them because – whether I agree with them or not – they're not peripheral. I know the press is trying to make loads of money out of all of the division, but don't actually want to go and talk to him about it and I think that's a shame.'
Last year, Linehan announced that he was moving to the US to film a new sitcom starring Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo actor Rob Schneider. Former GB News presenter Andrew Doyle is also said to be involved in the project.
Linehan is also currently involved in a legal battle after being sued by former Holby City actor David Paisley for defamation, over statements made on his substack and social media pages.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Wynne Evans breaks down in tears discussing Strictly scandal in live This Morning interview
**_If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offer support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch._** Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans broke down in tears during his first live television interview since his Strictly Come Dancing scandal. Appearing on This Morning on Wednesday (11 June), he spoke for the first time about being dropped by the BBC after apologising for making 'inappropriate and unacceptable' remarks during the Strictly live tour launch last December. He told hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: 'I was at my lowest ebb, I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't been surrounded by people.' Ben Shephard read a statement from the BBC which said: 'We provided comprehensive duty of care for Wynne that included support by wellbeing professionals.'
Scotsman
36 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Race Across the World final: who is the favourite to win?
Race Across the World is about to cross the finish line and crown the winners of series 5. All that stands between the teams and victory is one last leg. It has been quite the dramatic season with all but one of the remaining pairs having taken the lead at one point or another. While one couple were eliminated after a cruel twist of fate. For the final leg, the Race Across the World contestants will be attempting to reach the checkpoint in the southernmost tip in India first. Three teams are separated by just over seven hours - while previous leaders Brian and Melvyn appear to be out of the running after finding themselves 17 hours behind. The BBC has confirmed the start time for the final, however it is not the last episode of the season. Viewers will get to enjoy a reunion special next week. But who are the favourites to win heading into the final? has issued the latest odds before the climax of series 5. Take a look and then let me know who you think will win Race Across the World. Share your hopes and predictions by email: [email protected] . Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers. 1 . Yin and Gaz - eliminated A twist of fate - and a brutal storm - left Yin and Gaz with too much to do going into the elimination leg and unfortunately they were knocked out of the competition at the end of episode 3. They will not be winning Race Across the World. | BBC Photo: BBC Photo Sales 2 . Brian and Melvyn - 4/1 Having led the race on a number of occasions, Brian and Melvyn found themselves in fourth place after taking the country route in the penultimate leg. has them at 4/1 to win the fifth series - the longest odds right now. | BBC Photo: BBC Photo Sales 3 . Fin & Sioned - 9/4 The young Welsh couple have clawed themselves back into conclusion - after falling 30 hours behind at one point. has them as the third favourites to win at 9/4. | BBC Photo: BBC Photo Sales 4 . Elizabeth and Letitia - 2/1 Elizabeth and Letitia started the race strongly - reaching checkpoint first in both of the opening legs. They will be hoping to finish strongly and are the second favourites with odds of 2/1 to win via | BBC Photo: BBC Photo Sales Related topics: BoostTVBBC
Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Antiques Roadshow guest gasps 'I can't believe that!' as he learns staggering value of watch bought for £300 - and BBC crowd erupt into applause
An Antiques Roadshow guest gasped 'I can't believe that!' as he learned the staggering value of a watch bought for £300 - while the BBC crowd erupted into applause. A repeat episode of the BBC show, which sees specialist appraisers value heirlooms and heritage items, went to Brodie Castle in the Moray area of Scotland. In the instalment that reran on Sunday, expert Richard Price was asked to assess a 1960s Rolex GMT-Master watch. The guest said he had owned the timepiece for 32 years, having inherited it from his uncle, who he thought most likely received it as a gift in the sixties. Richard quickly spotted the specific model on the dial, important to note for this watch brand: 'All Rolex collectors refer to these things by their reference number.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The expert explained further: 'It's the reference 1675, which is the classic GMT-Master. 'When you said sixties, I think we could fairly safely say 1960 to 1961 so that all fits in.' Inspecting it further, Richard was delighted to find it unaltered - a rare outcome, as watches are often modified when their owners take them in for servicing. The appraiser told the guest how watch repairs normally go: 'They would've changed the bezel and they would've changed the dial with an upgrade. 'You would've had it back thinking, "Oh, it looks new." Collectors hate that.' As to this particular timepiece, by contrast, Richard noted: 'It's absolutely original - spot on.' There was some cause for disappointment, however, over the style of the watch bracelet. The timepiece had a strap in Rolex's five-link Jubilee style, as opposed to the brand's iconic, older, three-link Oyster design. Richard explained to the owner: 'It's a Rolex product of course but it says "Made in the USA". 'So, perhaps [his uncle] specified that he did not want the Oyster bracelet, he wanted a Jubilee bracelet, and they put this one on for him.' This 'detracts from it a little bit', he added - probably by 'a couple of thousand pounds' sadly, which saw the guest look visibly downcast. The expert estimated the watch would have cost around £300 to £350 when the guest's owner bought it back in the sixties. The guest simply replied: 'Wish [my uncle] bought more.' But even the single watch proved a good investment - as Richard valued it as now being worth £12,000 to £15,000. The owner was left in utter shock, as the crowd broke into applause. He exclaimed: 'I can't believe that, can't believe that.' The watch proved a good investment - as Richard valued it as now being worth £12,000 to £15,000 It comes after another guest also came in with some surprisingly valuable Rolex timepieces. A recent instalment of Antiques Roadshow saw expert Ben Wright presented with a pair of Rolex watches. One of the watches, the Rolex Prince, belonged to the guest's great-great-grandfather. The other, more recent one, was the guest's father's, who had joined his son to appear on the popular BBC show. Of the older watch, Ben said: 'I notice there's a little bit of wear and tear on the dial and we've got a later winder on the case.' One of the guests replied: 'It was £21 when it was bought.' Ben went on to comment on the paperwork that accompanied the watch before looking at the Rolex Submariner, belonging to the father. 'I was a merchant navy cadet in 1976 and I saved up my pittance to by that in Singapore. It was £250 I think,' the father revealed. The expert then revealed his pricing estimate: 'At auction, the Rolex Prince is going to be between £3,000 and £4,000. 'The Submariner - it's in great condition. All in all, the full ensemble at auction - easily £8,000 to £12,000.' The father and son duo looked stunned, smiling and nodding silently at the whopping values before thanking Ben.
