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Metro
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Comedian reveals he 'got cameraman sacked for filming up colleague's skirt
Legendary comedian Frank Skinner has revealed how he once had a cameraman fired from his hit chat show for putting a camera up a colleague's skirt. Skinner, 68, hosted his self-titled Frank Skinner Show for ten years, between 1995 and 2005. First airing on BBC One, it was a combination of celebrity chat and stand-up routines, punctuated with comedy sketches and musical routines. It then moved to ITV in the year 2000, running for another five years. During this time he interviewed celebrity giants Jamie Lee Curtis, Ozzy Osbourne and Britney Spears… alongside British showbiz figures Matthew Kelly, Roy 'Chubby' Brown and Jo Brand. The Brummie comedian has reflected on his time hosting the show, recalling an incident in which he was forced to have a cameraman sacked for his 'horrible' behaviour. 'I think if you've got the power to do something about that, you need to use it,' he asserted. In an interview with The Sun, Skinner described the incident as 'horrible' and a form of 'bullying.' 'He thought it was funny to put the camera up a make-up woman's skirt and it got big laughs in the studio,' he said. 'I wasn't in the studio, but I found her crying in a room and she told me about it. I asked around. And because I was a big-time comedian, I was able to say: 'Well, look, either he goes or I go'. 'I don't want to get anyone sacked, but I did get him sacked. I tell that story not to make myself sound like some big hero and good guy, but just that I had the power and I did something,' he added. Skinner rose to fame on the stand-up circuit in the 1980s, before making he television debut in the 1990s. Since then, he's rarely been off the box, appearing in sitcoms Shane and Blue Haven, while hosting Room 101, The Frank Skinner Show and Frank Skinner's Opinionated. He is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with fellow comedian David Baddiel, with whom he co-wrote and performed the football anthem Three Lions. As part of their long-term partnership, they also hosted TV shows Fantasy Football League and Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned together. One TV show format which wasn't for Skinner was Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox – an experience he described as 'not enjoyable.' 'There's a place in Wareham in Dorset called Monkey World, and it's beautiful because they're often monkeys that have been rescued from unkindness on the continent, and a lot of Spanish, in particular, there's a thing of having your photo taken with a monkey,' he said during an episode of his Frank off the Radio: The Frank Skinner Podcast. 'The way to make them behave – and you can see this when you get close – is they've got cigarette burns on their skin that they use to make them do what they want them to do. And doing Gogglebox was a very similar experience.' Lest we think he's being overly dramatic, Skinner clarified: 'We're sitting watching the telly and we start talking, and a voice says 'Say something about his jacket'. Then it would stop, and they'd say 'Can you not go into digressions, it's funny if you keep it close to what's actually happening'. 'And pretty soon I'm thinking 'just please make this stop'. Skinner – who married long-time partner Cath Mason earlier this year – continued: 'When I left – I'd made it pretty clear in a politer way – I said 'Sorry, I thought this was going to be like enjoyable'.' As for Skinner's Celebrity Gogglebox co-star and long-time friend, Baddiel has worried that comedy might one day kill him. More Trending 'Stand up and making people laugh live is psychologically very all-consuming, and you sometimes think, I don't think I can keep doing this until I die because it's going to kill me,' 61-year-old Baddiel said during an appearance on Good Morning Britain last year. 'But actually, it's very hard to give up at the same time,' he said. 'It's very addictive and when you do it you feel like you are bringing a lot of joy. View More » 'It's an amazing buzz and also it feels like a great thing.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Strictly in fresh scandal after staffer claims they were 'offered cocaine by show star' MORE: Sci-fi fans can binge all 4 seasons of 'mind-blowing' series for free on ITVX MORE: Gladiators star Steel reveals medical procedure contributed to newborn son's death
The Irish Sun
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
There's been lots of creepy men in TV – cameraman on my show upskirted a woman… so I got him sack, says Frank Skinner
Comedian Frank opens up on TV bullies amid the numerous allegations of misconduct from top TV stars, as well as fatherhood, poetry and his stalker 'BAFFLING' BEHAVIOUR There's been lots of creepy men in TV – cameraman on my show upskirted a woman… so I got him sack, says Frank Skinner COMEDIAN Frank Skinner has slammed the 'unacceptable' behaviour of telly bosses who failed to use their power to help victims involved in celebrity TV scandals. He has revealed how he once took matters into his own hands when a cameraman cruelly up-skirted a make-up artist working on his Frank Skinner Show, which aired on both the BBC and ITV for more than a decade from 1995. Advertisement 4 Frank Skinner's long-running Poetry Podcast is a huge hit – and the new series is available now Credit: Louis Wood 4 Frank and Cath married in May after 24 years together Credit: Getty Since then, there have been numerous allegations of misconduct, bullying and inappropriate behaviour made against some of our top TV stars, most recently including MasterChef's Gregg Wallace. In an exclusive interview, Frank told The Sun on Sunday: 'There's been a lot of creepy men in TV making women's lives a misery. 'I think if you've got the power to do something about that, you need to use it. Advertisement 'He thought it was funny to put the camera up a make-up woman's skirt and it got big laughs in the studio. I wasn't in the studio, but I found her crying in a room and she told me about it. 'I asked around. And because I was a big-time comedian, I was able to say, 'Well, look, either he goes or I go'. 'Life has changed' 'I don't want to get anyone sacked, but I did get him sacked. I tell that story not to make myself sound like some big hero and good guy, but just that I had the power and I did something. 'She was being bullied — it was horrible. We didn't go to the broadcaster, we dealt with it on the shop floor. 'That's how a lot of these things could have been dealt with, isn't it? I just find it baffling that nobody has stepped in.' Advertisement There is no doubt that Frank is a big-time comedian — and also genuinely warm and down to earth. The West Midlands-born star first found success in 1991, winning the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe. Frank Skinner, 68, reveals he's MARRIED girlfriend Cath Mason in secret ceremony with only one guest He later worked with his stand-up pal, David Baddiel, hosting Fantasy Football League together, collaborating on Baddiel And Skinner Unplanned and co-writing footie hit Three Lions. Today, he is discussing his hugely popular Frank Skinner's Poetry Podcast, which is now in its 11th series. He has turned 68, adores his free bus pass and has absolutely no plans to retire from the job he loves — despite dealing with some lows as well as highs. Advertisement There's been a lot of creepy men in TV making women's lives a misery Frank Skinner Frank says: 'I had one fan who wrote a scary novel about how she was going to track me down and shoot me. My management called in the CID. 'I said, 'Look, I wouldn't make a fuss about it. I mean, who's got a gun?'. 'They said she was a soldier. I thought, 'Oh, she might have access to a gun'. 'They tracked her down. She said it was just fun and promised not to shoot me, but wanted to apologise face to face. Nobody thought that was a good idea. "And last year I was on stage, chatting to the audience, and I asked this woman's name. She replied, 'You should know — I've stalked you for seven years'. Advertisement 'She's been to gigs, sent me letters and cards. But she'd changed her hair! 'I asked her what she was doing these days. She'd retired. How terrible is that — even my stalkers are retiring.' Despite being a KFC-lover and gym-hater, Frank could pass for a man a decade younger. He attributes it to being a dad to 13-year-old Buzz. Frank, who married Buzz's mum, Cath, in May after 24 years together, says: 'He's a prankster. He said there was a leak in the toilet. We went in, all concerned, and found an actual leek on top of the toilet. 4 Series 11 of Frank Skinner's Poetry Podcast is available to download now on all usual podcast platforms Advertisement 4 Frank with Three Lions pal David Baddiel in 2000 Credit: Getty "We were out in my new Lexus and I drove through a narrow space. After we got back, Buzz said, 'Have you seen the huge scratch?'. After 20 minutes he admitted it was a sticker he got with the Beano. I was too impressed to be angry.' Frank's showbiz performances have evolved over the years. He says: 'One bloke stopped me in Edinburgh and said, 'What's your act like now? It's not all that woke s**t, is it?'. 'I don't feel restrained by the way things have changed, but do people really want three hours of jokes about the disabled? I don't want to be doing that stuff. Advertisement 'Life has changed for all of us — in a good way.' He did once receive viewer complaints over a song deemed homophobic, but regulator Ofcom ruled it wasn't offensive. But Frank admits: 'I watched it years later and thought they were wrong. I wish I hadn't done that. It was offensive.' Now most fans actually stop him to discuss his poetry podcast. He says: 'People sometimes think poetry is snooty, but pick the right stuff and it's brilliant. 'My love for it started thanks to a cool school teacher. He showed it can be lively — about chip shops or being on the night bus with strange people. Advertisement 'I even had a black thong' 'In the podcast, I try to shine a torch on that and say, 'Come with me. We'll go past all the rubbish, boring bits and I'll show you the really good stuff. And you'll be surprised how much you like it'. 'I did a poetry podcast live recently in Cornwall and one woman said, 'If you'd been my teacher my life would have been completely different'. I thought, wow! 'That's quite a review. No one says that to me after an hour of knob jokes.' Frank describes his favourite hobby as walking his beloved cavapoo, Poppy, near his home in Hampstead, North London. But it used to be sunbathing on holiday. Advertisement Last year I was chatting to an audience and I asked this woman's name. She replied: 'You should know I've stalked you for seven years.' I asked what she did now and she'd retired. How terrible is that — even my stalkers are retiring Frank Skinner He says with a laugh: 'I didn't wear any creams or lotions. My routine was 20 minutes on your back, then your front, then your side — like a turkey. I even had a black thong after seeing Peter Stringfellow in one. 'After returning from holiday in the West Indies, I played cricket. I was naked in the dressing room and everybody was laughing at me because of my tan lines. 'Another time, a friend told me the best way to get a tan was to use olive oil. So I went to Eastbourne and slathered it on. 'I ended up in A&E at Kingston Hospital, treated for burns. My ankles were so swollen at my next gig, I had to put my feet in a sink full of ice just so I could get my shoes on and go on stage.' Frank's ability to make people laugh is unique — but he's determined never to be the butt of jokes. Advertisement So he refuses reality TV offers and, even though he's a Strictly fan, doesn't want to be 'the old guy who can't dance' appearing for laughs. He'd like to move 'much nearer to the West Midlands' and get Buzz to follow his beloved West Brom. Frank says: 'I took him to a game, got him a kit, but he likes Harry Kane so supported Spurs. Now Harry's left he's not really into football. 'We watched the Lionesses together and loved that. I wasn't upset that the Three Lions anthem was sidelined for Sweet Caroline. I can't complain. We had a good run — four No1s. Not many people can say that.'
Scottish Sun
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
There's been lots of creepy men in TV – cameraman on my show upskirted a woman… so I got him sack, says Frank Skinner
COMEDIAN Frank Skinner has slammed the 'unacceptable' behaviour of telly bosses who failed to use their power to help victims involved in celebrity TV scandals. He has revealed how he once took matters into his own hands when a cameraman cruelly up-skirted a make-up artist working on his Frank Skinner Show, which aired on both the BBC and ITV for more than a decade from 1995. 4 Frank Skinner's long-running Poetry Podcast is a huge hit – and the new series is available now Credit: Louis Wood 4 Frank and Cath married in May after 24 years together Credit: Getty Since then, there have been numerous allegations of...
