Hands down, the prize for most sensational stunt of 2022 goes to Joe Lycett. The comedian and artist and TV presenter and (somewhat reluctant) social justice warrior closed the year in even more spectacular fashion than the vivacious ensembles he is accustomed to wearing when he called out David Beckham. The former England captain had spent the past two decades courting the gays, then sold his ally status for a hefty pay cheque (rumoured to be in the tens of millions) to be the face of Qatar — where same-sex relations are illegal.
The stunt began with Joe threatening to shred £10,000 that would otherwise be going to charity if David Beckham did not address his endorsement deal of the country that punishes gay relations with the death sentence. Beckham remained silent, and the money — along with his Attitude cover and Beckham’s gay icon status — was shredded. Of course, the money wasn’t actually destroyed. “I would never be so irresponsible,” Joe said in a video that went viral, revealing the money had indeed been donated to two LGBTQ+ charities.
This is not the first time Joe has become a champion for good. Through his Channel 4 TV show, , he has taken on big business when it has trampled over the public’s rights, challenging companies like Hugo Boss and Shell, among others. Of course, the government has not escaped a lashing from the comedian’s razorsharp tongue, with Liz Truss and the Home Office’s immigration policy all falling under Joe’s scrutiny. Needless to say, Joe Lycett has more than earned 101 Media & Broadcast category.
