The BBC has apologised for a ‘misjudged’ red carpet interview with Andrew Scott where he was questioned about fellow actor Barry Keoghan’s genitals.
The actor, 47, was interviewed by BBC entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson at the BAFTA Film Awards about his film All Of Us Strangers, co-starring Paul Mescal.
Paterson then moved on to discussing other Irish actors which lead to him bringing up Barry Keoghan’s much talked about performance in Saltburn.
Andrew was left red in the face when asked for his ‘first reaction’ to Barry’s naked dance scene at the end of the film.
Visibly uncomfortable, the Fleabag star gave an uneasy response: ‘I wont spoil it for anybody. It was great,’ before shrugging off the question.
Nervously laughing, Andrew was not able to get away from the line of questioning, as Paterson continued to hound him – this time stepping it up by asking him about his thoughts on Barry’s prosthetic penis.
The BBC presenter began laying the foundation for his next question by saying ‘there was a lot of talk about prosthetics,’ as Andrew looked increasingly agitated.
In a bid to find out how accurate the prosthetic was in its likeness to Barry’s actual genitals, Paterson asks: ‘How well do you know him?
The star mumbled ‘I don’t know,’ with an awkward smile before walking away from the toe-curling interview.
It dawns on Paterson that he may have crossed a line, further asking ‘too much?’ as Andrew turned away.
The interview was criticised by viewers with some feeling the line of questioning was homophobic due to Andrew being gay.
The BBC issued a statement in response to the criticism, saying the questioning was ‘light-hearted’ and not intended to offend.
They said: ‘Saltburn is a film which has had cultural impact, with Barry Keoghan’s scene at the end gaining a lot of attention in particular – something the actor has addressed himself.
‘Our question to Andrew Scott was meant to be a light-hearted reflection of the discussion around the scene and was not intended to cause offence’.
The broadcaster said Saltburn director Emerald Fennell and Sophie Ellis-Bextor – whose hit Murder On The Dancefloor plays during the final scene – also received a similar line of questioning.
They added: ‘We do, however, accept that the specific question asked to Andrew Scott was misjudged.
‘After speaking with Andrew on the carpet, our reporter acknowledged on air that his questioning may have gone too far and that he was sorry if this was the case.’
Barry stunned fans when he went fully naked in a graphic scene dancing around a mansion to Murder On The Dancefloor as his character Oliver Quick celebrates securing the Catton fortune and Saltburn estate after murdering numerous people.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the star admitted he did not use a prosthetic and didn’t hesitate when Emerald Fennell asked him to bare it all.
He said: ‘The premiere was pretty interesting. I got a lot of phone calls the next day from, oh, I dunno… happy customers.’
Released on November 17, Saltburn centers around Oxford scholarship holder, Oliver and his infatuation with his upper-class friend Felix (played by Jacob Elordi.)
Oliver struggles to fit in with the super wealthy crowd that study at the elite university, however Felix soon takes him under his wing.
Sought-after Felix eventually invites down on his luck Oliver to stay at his illustrious Saltburn mansion for the Summer, igniting a season of eccentricity, partying and chaos – as well as an obsession from the latter to the former.
Speaking to TMZ, the star waxed lyrical about baring all in the film, joking that he ‘can’t listen’ to the Sophie Ellis-Bextor track as he ‘just starts to undress.’
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
