Jack Whitehall has responded after his savage Rolf Harris joke got him muted on Soccer AM‘s final ever episode.
Earlier this year, Sky Sports released a statement to mark the show’s cancellation after a remarkable 28-year stay on our screens.
It read: “Soccer AM has played an important role in our coverage of football for the past three decades, and we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our customers.
“We are now going into a period of consultation to discuss the proposed changes with our people.
“We are unable to provide more detail while these consultations are underway.”
As the cameras started rolling for one last time, Whitehall was determined to go ‘out with a bang’.
Speaking to the panel, the 34-year-old explained how he was still waiting to be honored by the Royals.
“When they released the honors, waiting by the phone, nothing,” he said.
“Every year, the amount of brown nosing I’ve done with that [inaudible].”
The comedian then made the most unexpected comment ever.
“Also, I’d take anything, I’d have the one’s they stripped off Rolf,” Whitehall added, as the studio erupted in laughter.
Whitehall was referencing when Harris – who recently died of neck cancer on May 10 at the age of 93 – was made an MBE in the 1960s, an OBE a decade later and a CBE in 2006.
However, the honors were later revoked after Harris was convicted of a string of indecent assaults.
Immediately after the brutal joke, co-host Jimmy Bullard stood up and walked off in complete disarray.
Meanwhile, Graham was in stitches and Fenners didn’t know where to look.
“It’s the last show, let’s go out with a bang,” Whitehall says, while trying to defend himself.
Viewers at home were stunned.
“Jack Whitehall is on fire Soccer AM this morning, I’d even have the honors stripped off Rolf Harris,” one viewer tweeted.
Another added: “Jack Whitehall dropping a joke about Rolf Harris is a suitable end to Soccer AM.”
“Jack Whitehall and Rolf Harris jokes on Soccer AM. Going out with a bang,” a third said.
The comedian has since addressed the joke that got him muted on Soccer AM’s final ever episode.
Taking to Twitter, Whitehall wrote: “Don’t go gentle into that good night. #SoccerAm So much love for this show.
“This felt like a fitting sent off for me – I think over the years I’ve been muted more than any guest. Saturday mornings won’t be the same!”