The BBC has issued a statement following a controversial interview one of its journalists conducted with Andrew Scott.
Andrew Scott left an uncomfortable interview during a BAFTA red carpet event after the BBC presenter persistently asked him questions about Barry Keoghan’s nude performance in Saltburn.
BBC entertainment correspondent Colin Patterson faced backlash after the interview was published, saying there was a “strange energy” to the questions asked by fans.
read more: Fans react as Andrew Scott walks away from ‘frankly unpleasant’ BAFTA interview
When first asked about the nude scene in Saltburn, the ‘All of Us Strangers’ actor said he had no intention of spoiling it for anyone. But when Patterson starts talking about his prosthetic leg and he asks, “How well do you know him?” [Barry Keoghan]?” Andrew smiled awkwardly and replied, “I don’t know,” and abruptly ended the interview.
The footage quickly spread online, and the BBC has now issued a statement admitting it was an “incorrect” question.
They said: “Our reporter started asking Andrew Scott about the movie he was in, All of Us Strangers, which had been nominated for six BAFTAs. I asked about the popularity of the Irish actor starring Cogan. Saltburn was mentioned.”
They continued, “Saltburn is a culturally influential film, with the Barry Keoghan scene at the end receiving a lot of attention, especially as the actor himself has said so.
“Our questions to Andrew Scott were intended to be a light-hearted reflection of the discussion on the ground and were not intended to offend.” I was also asked about the scene with Emerald Fennell and Sophie Ellis-Bextor who sang “Murder on the Dance Floor.”
“However, I do accept that the particular question to Andrew Scott was a misjudgment. After speaking with Andrew on the carpet, the reporter admitted on air that his questions may have gone too far.” “If this was true, I would be sorry.”