BBC Defends Cringe Andrew Scott Interview About Naked Barry Keoghan

BBC News released a detailed statement about that viral red carpet interview where a reporter continually pressed Andrew Scott about Barry Keoghan‘s nudity in Saltburn.

For those who missed it (video below), the BBC’s Colin Paterson, covering the BAFTAs red carpet, pressed Scott — who was supporting his film All of Us Strangers — about how well he knew his fellow Irish thespian Keoghan, what he thought of the latter’s naked dance scene in Saltburn, and whether he thought Keoghan used a prosthetic penis in the scene, demanding, “How well do you know him?”

Scott is openly gay, has not appeared in any films with Keoghan, looked highly uncomfortable and walked off during the interview. The interview went viral, with many finding the line of questioning inappropriate, possibly homophobic and all around awkward as hell.

Several days later, BBC News has released a statement that largely defended the interview, though admits “that specific question” (without specifying which) was “misjudged.”

“Our reporter began by asking Andrew Scott about the film he’d appeared in — All of Us Strangers — which was nominated for six Baftas,” BBC News said. “He then moved on to ask about the popularity of Irish actors where Barry Keoghan, star of Saltburn, was mentioned. Saltburn is a film which has had cultural impact, with Barry Keoghan’s scene at the end gaining a lot of attention in particular — something the actor has addressed himself. Our question to Andrew Scott was meant to be a light hearted reflection of the discussion around the scene and was not intended to cause offence. Saltburn writer and director, Emerald Fennell, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, whose song ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ was used in the sequence, were also asked about the scene.”

All that said: “We do, however, accept that the specific question asked to Andrew Scott was misjudged. After speaking with Andrew on the carpet, our reporter acknowledged on air that his questioning may have gone too far and that he was sorry if this was the case.”

In the original interview, Paterson asked, “Do you know Barry well?” Scott cheerfully replied, “Yes! I know Barry, yeah!” The reporter then asked: “OK, your reaction when you first saw the naked dance scene at the end of Saltburn?” Scott uncomfortably laughed and responded, “It’s great, it’s great.” He added, “I won’t spoil it for anybody.” The correspondent then kept pestering about the subject despite Scott’s discomfort: “There was a lot of talk about prosthetics. How well do you know him?” Smiling, Scott waved off and walked away. 

Here’s the clip: