The BBC has apologized for a ‘poorly judged’ red carpet interview with Andrew Scott in which he was asked 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 went on to talk about other Irish actors, which led him to mention Barry Keoghan’s much talked about performance in Saltburn.
Andrew turned red when asked his “first reaction” to Barry’s naked dancing scene at the end of the film.
Visibly uncomfortable, the Fleabag star gave an awkward response: “I won’t spoil it for anyone.” It was great,” before ignoring the question.
The BBC has apologized for a ‘poorly judged’ red carpet interview with Andrew Scott in which he was asked about fellow actor Barry Keoghan’s genitals.
The actor, 47, was interviewed by BBC entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson, who asked him about Barry’s famous nude scene in Saltburn.
Laughing nervously, Andrew couldn’t escape the line of questioning, as Paterson continued to harass him, this time escalating it by asking what he thought about Barry’s prosthetic penis.
The BBC presenter began to lay the groundwork for his next question by saying that there was “a lot of talk about prosthetics”, as Andrew looked increasingly agitated.
In an attempt to find out how accurate the prosthetic was in terms of its resemblance to Barry’s real genitals, Paterson asks, “How well do you know him?”
The star muttered ‘I don’t know’, with an awkward smile before walking away from the interview.
Paterson realizes he may have crossed a line and further asked “too much?” as Andrew walked away.
The interview was criticized by viewers with some feeling that 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” and not intended to offend.
They said: “Saltburn is a film that has had a cultural impact, with Barry Keoghan’s final scene attracting a lot of attention in particular, something the actor himself has addressed.”
The Fleabag star turned red when asked her ‘first reaction’ to Barry’s naked dancing scene at the end of the thriller.
The star muttered ‘I don’t know’, with an awkward smile before walking away from the interview.
“Our question to Andrew Scott was intended as a light-hearted reflection of the discussion surrounding the scene and was not intended to offend.”
The broadcaster said Saltburn director Emerald Fennell and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, whose hit Murder On The Dancefloor plays during the final scene, were also given a similar line of questioning.
They added: ‘However, we accept that the specific question put 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 that were the case.”
Barry shocked fans when he was left completely naked in a graphic scene dancing around a mansion with Murder On The Dancefloor as his character Oliver Quick celebrates securing the Catton fortune and the Saltburn estate after murdering numerous people.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the star admitted that she didn’t wear prosthetics and didn’t hesitate when Emerald Fennell asked her to bare it all.
He said: ‘The premiere was quite interesting. I received many phone calls the next day from, oh, I don’t know… satisfied customers.
Released on November 17, Saltburn centers on Oxford scholarship student Oliver and his crush on his upper-class friend Felix (played by Jacob Elordi).
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Barry admitted that he didn’t wear prosthetics and didn’t hesitate when director Emerald Fennell asked him to bare all.
Describing the film’s final nude scene, Barry joked that it was “property” and added that it was a sign of “I can do whatever I want in this mansion.” I can strip down to nothing and dance a waltz because this is mine.
With its fair share of controversial scenes, Saltburn has been the film on the tip of many people’s tongues over the past few weeks.
Oliver struggles to fit in with the super-rich crowd studying at the elite university, however, Felix soon takes him under his wing.
The sought-after Felix finally invites the down-on-his-luck Oliver to stay at his illustrious Saltburn mansion for the summer, ushering in a season of eccentricity, partying and mayhem, as well as an obsession on the part of the latter towards the former.
Speaking to TMZ, the star waxed lyrical about getting all naked in the film, joking that she “can’t hear” Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s song while she “just starts undressing.”