People sharing their hot takes about politicians on live television is not new, especially actors in foreign shows. However, taking this to a new height, British actor Dan Stevens is breaking the internet after he took a potshot at Boris Johnson.
Stevens was appearing on BBC’s The One Show to promote his new political thriller series Gaslit. Before asking the Downton Abbey-famed actor to delve into further details, the hosts said the series revolves around Richard Nixon and the 1970s Watergate Scandal.
As Stevens goes to introduce the series by explaining the context that led even Nixon to resign, he quite nonchalantly drew a comparison to the present scenario where many have been demanding Johnson’s resignation.
“What you’ve got is a criminal for a leader who is wrapped in a messy war, embroiled in a stupid scandal and surrounded by ambitious idiots and really should resign,” he said. And…um…no, I’m sorry that’s the intro to Boris Johnson,” Stevens remarked, leaving hosts to gasp on air.
STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WATCH THIS MOMENT FROM THE ONE SHOW pic.twitter.com/UwRFpQ8YpM
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) April 13, 2022
The segment quickly went viral after reporter Scott Bryan shared it on Twitter. “STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WATCH THIS MOMENT FROM THE ONE SHOW,” he tweeted.
The footage certainly got all the attention from netizens amassing over 6.5 million views. While most remained surprised if not shocked, they were highly impressed by his delivery of the line.
Here’s the audible gasps in the room. pic.twitter.com/n6S5JOJm0g
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) April 13, 2022
As the video went viral, journalist Ian Hyland later tweeted that Stevens apologised for his joke.
I’m hearing Dan Stevens has now apologised for his Boris Johnson joke on The One Show. Apparently, Dan had had a very busy day of work and wasn’t aware at the time that he was breaking BBC rules. He also didn’t realise he was on The One Show.
— Ian Hyland (@HylandIan) April 13, 2022
The British Prime Minister has been embroiled in a controversy for violating lockdown rules and hosting parties at the government residence in the summer of 2020 which is now being dubbed as the Partygate Scandal. Although the opposition has been demanding his resignation, he has refused. And netizens noted Stevens’s remark couldn’t have been timed better.
I’d love to have heard what the producer was saying to the hosts in their earpieces. https://t.co/L3pSwCZlAq
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) April 14, 2022
spot on #danstevens his take down of Boris Johnson on the One Show probably hit more people with the truth than endless column inches in the Guardian. #BorisJohnsonMustGo
— John Smith (son of Harry Leslie Smith) (@Harryslaststand) April 13, 2022
You have to watch tonight’s #TheOneShow to get the truth from an actor who’s got the guts to say it on the #BBC #DanStevens is a star … #Gaslit #Partygate
— Sir MondoTheMoody (@MondoMoody) April 13, 2022
It appears I’m the last person on earth to have seen this. Proof positive that not all heroes wear capes.#DanStevensForPM https://t.co/FCzFN8vPzy
— Linda🌻🏴#Notmybrexshit #JohnsonOut (@lindaarella) April 14, 2022
Doesn’t it say a lot about where we are as a country when a chat show guest daring to tell the truth about our sleazy, corrupt government is seen as a maverick act? #theoneshow #DanStevens
— Andrea ⚓️ (@11percentshadow) April 14, 2022
I think this might be time to introduce a national #DanStevens day. Because this absolutely made me day today https://t.co/jbeizZq5sB
— Debbie She/her (@debznfoz) April 14, 2022
Doubt Dan will be invited back on BBC – even though he’s saying what the majority of the nation are thinking.
— Jane Rackham 🇪🇺 🇧🇪🇮🇪🇵🇹🇫🇷🇮🇹🇿🇦 (@JaneRackham2) April 13, 2022
I think it really shows the feeling of the general public that this clip has got more likes in 1 hour than every tweet from Cabinet Ministers defending Johnson combined
— Tom E (@DrTommyT25) April 13, 2022
watched it 3 times so far , not sure I can stop.
— sir dave democracy I STAND WITH UKRAINE (@dave_democracy) April 13, 2022
❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/PvnKb6LGzY
— Dan (@TheArty60) April 13, 2022
Oh this is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣lmfao
Full marks for getting this out about Boris Johnson— Bob (@cns46z) April 13, 2022
Oh thats FUNNY!!!
The presenters didn’t even see it coming. 😂👏👌😎
— Anthony Higgins 🇺🇦 (@2057Anthony) April 13, 2022
