Advertisement
Social Justice

Joe Lycett says ‘shredded’ £10,000 in David Beckham stunt was actually donated to LGBTQ+ charities

In a “final message” to the former England captain, Lycett clarified that he did not actually shred £10,000, saying it was an empty threat designed to get people talking

Comedian Joe Lycett says he did not shred £10,000 in a stunt calling out David Beckham’s work for the Qatar World Cup – but donated it to LGBTQ+ charities instead.

The Birmingham comedian gave the former England captain until midday on Sunday to withdraw his role at the tournament saying if he did so he would donate £10,000 of his own money to charities supporting LGBTQ+ communities. If he didn’t, he would shred it.

After the deadline passed, Lycett tweeted a video appearing to do just that, which caused some controversy as people took issue with the shredding of money during a cost of living crisis.

But the comedian posted another video on Twitter on Monday, clarifying that he didn’t actually shred the cash.

“It’s me, that prick who shredded loads of money in a cost of living crisis!” Lycett says to Beckham in the video.

“I haven’t quite told you the truth because the truth is the money that went into the shredder was real, but the money that came out was fake. I would never destroy real money. I would never be so irresponsible.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

“In fact, the 10 grand had already been donated to LGBTQ+ charities before I even pressed send on the initial tweet last week. I never expected to hear from you. It was an empty threat, designed to get people talking. In many ways it was like your deal with Qatar, David. Total bullshit from the start.”

Lycett then went on to shred “gay icon” Beckham’s 2002 Attitude cover – the first time a Premier League footballer had appeared on the cover of a gay magazine.

Beckham is being paid a reported £140million for his role as ambassador of the Qatar World Cup.

Advertisement

Buy a Big Issue Vendor Support Kit

This Christmas, give a Big Issue vendor the tools to keep themselves warm, dry, fed, earning and progressing.

Recommended for you

Read All
My son mysteriously vanished 17 years ago – Christmas is just another reminder he's gone
andrew gosden, who went missing 17 years ago
Missing people

My son mysteriously vanished 17 years ago – Christmas is just another reminder he's gone

These domestic abuse survivors are learning how to cycle. It helps them find freedom and hope
Lucy Dance, who runs the cycling project in the women's refuge. Image: Supplied
Cycling

These domestic abuse survivors are learning how to cycle. It helps them find freedom and hope

'You want it to be magical for your kids': Here's how the two-child benefit cap is ruining Christmas
Two-child benefit cap

'You want it to be magical for your kids': Here's how the two-child benefit cap is ruining Christmas

Millions of pensioners in 'desperate need' lose winter fuel payment: 'We fear what will happen'
pensioner with his head in his hands
Winter fuel payment

Millions of pensioners in 'desperate need' lose winter fuel payment: 'We fear what will happen'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue