[Niamh.]

Thoughts on this?


The Chase's Anne Hegerty branded 'transphobic' after toe-curling spat

THE Governess, who appeared in The Wright Stuff yesterday, landed herself in hot water when she made a controversial comment.

Viewers of the Channel 5 show were left fuming after it appeared Anne Hegerty, who made herself a household name on ITV's The Chase, made a barbed comment towards fellow panellist, transgender campaigner Paris Lees.

During a heated debate on the show, chaired by Matthew Wright, the pair went head-to-head over the existence of the gender pay gap.

Former journalist Anne, 59, said she believed that if women wanted leadership roles "they should be the ones going out and getting them".

"I don't believe there's a group of men saying there's too many women on panels."

Paris, however, questioned Anne's beliefs, asking: "So you don't believe there's an old boys club at the top?"

Anne shot back: "Well, you used to be a boy, you would know."

Her comment was followed by a frosty silence in the studio, as the debate swiftly moved on.

Viewers flocked to Twitter to call out Anne, who has earned the nickname "Frosty Knickers" for her cold demeanour from Bradley Walsh, over her offensive comment.

"It was transphobic of Anne to throw Paris's born gender in her face like that. She also did it to shut her up. It was rude," slammed one viewer.

"Wow, that was disgusting," said another.

"Anne Hegerty's put-down of Paris really shocked me. I am really surprised everyone just took it?" a third tweeted.

A fourth said: "I am appalled by Anne's off the cuff crass remark. Well done for rising above it, Paris."

Paris told the Sun after the incident: "I was so shocked, I was processing it. I didn't make a big deal out if it. I love the show and Matthew, and I;m sure Anne didn't mean to be malicious.

"I hope she didn't mean it to come across the way it did."

A rep for Anne has ben contacted for comment.