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The Chase star made transphobic jibe at Paris Lees on TV: ‘You used to be a boy’

Written by gaytourism

Anne stunned The Wright Stuff viewers with her quip towards trans activist and journalist Pars Lees (Picture: Channel 5)

The Chase star Anne Hegerty raised eyebrows when she made a flippant comment to trans activist Paris Lee live on television.

Appearing on The Wright Stuff on Thursday 15 March, Paris and Anne were heatedly discussing the gender pay gap.

Anne, who plays the role of The Governess in the hugely popular ITV show – said she was ‘not terribly bothered’ about the gender pay gap, insisting that leadership roles and high power positions do exist for women.

Paris responded that she felt that ‘the top’ was an ‘old boys club’ – but Anne said she felt convinced that it didn’t exist.

The Chase host makes transphobic jibe on live TV

But things took a turn for the worst. Paris said she would ‘have to disagree’, Hegerty stunned the audience when she quipped: ‘Okie doke. Well, you used to be a boy, you’d know that.’

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Host Matthew Wright was forced to quickly change the subject after a stunned silence fell on the studio.

Following the incident, Lees reportedly told the Sun:

‘The whole studio – the audience fell silent. I don’t think anyone knew what to say. You could have cut the atmosphere with a knife.

‘I didn’t make a big deal out of it. I love the show and Matthew, and I’m sure she didn’t mean to be malicious.

‘[I] hope she didn’t mean it to come across the way it did.

‘I’m not easily shaken, I’ve had worse in my time, but when you’re on TV, you don’t expect it,’ she revealed.

Representatives for Hegerty told Gay Star News: ‘Anne is now out of the country and not available for comment.’

Formal apology made to Paris on live TV

The following day, Anne Diamond, who was standing in for Matthew, made a formal apology live on the show.

The Chase’s Anne Hegerty stunned the studio audience following her comment to Paris Lees (Picture: Channel 5)

‘Just a quick word about yesterday’s program,’ she said briefly.

‘Yesterday during a discussion about gender pay with Anne Hegerty and Paris Lees, Anne made a remark to Paris about her gender.

‘Now, we apologise to Paris and anyone at home who was offended by what was said.’

Meanwhile, fans took to Twitter with one saying: ‘That was extremely unpleasant and totally uncalled for.’

Another said: ‘@parislees I am appalled by Anne’s off the cuff crass remark, well done for rising above it.

‘But hopefully you gave her a few choice words during Ad break.’

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