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Irish comedian Vittorio Angelone apologises for rape joke about content creator
Ireland🏛️ PoliticsCenter4 days ago

Irish comedian Vittorio Angelone apologises for rape joke about content creator

Irish comedian Vittorio Angelone issued an apology after making a rape-related joke about Rebecca Goodwin, an English content creator whose sexual assault case is currently under review in UK courts. Goodwin expressed disappointment via TikTok, noting that the remark was broadcast on the 'Have a Word' podcast during a roast episode dedicated to another comedian, Freddy Quinne. Although the specific segment was initially available only to subscribers on Patreon, Angelone subsequently shared a screenshot of the moment with his large Instagram audience, triggering significant online backlash. Rachel Morrogh, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, criticized the incident, stating that treating rape as a punchline harms survivors and discourages them from seeking justice. Angelone stated in a public statement that he regretted the comment and had reached out to Goodwin privately to offer his apologies.

Belfast-based comedian Vittorio Angelone has issued a formal apology after mocking a specific woman regarding rape and incest during a podcast appearance. The incident sparked immediate online backlash and criticism from sexual violence advocacy groups after Angelone shared the clip on social media. The target of the joke, Rebecca Goodwin, revealed that she is currently navigating an active rape trial in the United Kingdom. The remark occurred during a "roast" segment on the Have A Word podcast, where guests are invited to mock fellow comedian Freddie Quinne. During the broadcast, Angelone stated, "Freddy, if you're here, who's raping Rebecca Goodwin. That's a joke. Of course it's her dad." The episode was originally published on the podcast's subscriber-only Patreon page in December 2025. Following the release, Angelone amplified the controversy by posting a screenshot of the moment to his Instagram account, which reaches approximately 498,000 followers. He subsequently deleted the post after facing widespread condemnation. Goodwin, an English influencer and OnlyFans creator, responded to the remarks via a video on TikTok earlier this week. She disclosed that her sexual assault case is actively proceeding through the courts. Goodwin expressed deep disappointment, noting that neither she nor the podcast producers sought her permission before airing the material. She stated that she learned of the joke from her followers rather than direct contact. In her statement, she criticized the normalization of such comments, arguing that the content was permitted to air before millions despite its harmful nature. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) strongly condemned the comedian's actions. Chief Executive Rachel Morrogh stated that treating rape as a punchline causes profound distress to survivors and reinforces cultural attitudes that deter individuals from reporting sexual violence. Morrogh emphasized that reporting crimes and participating in legal proceedings requires immense courage, deserving serious respect. She asserted that anyone utilizing a public platform bears a duty to assess potential harm to listeners. The DRCC highlighted that their national 24-hour helpline remains available for free and confidential support. In a written statement posted to Instagram, Angelone acknowledged that his desire for validation superseded his personal standards and morals. He described the incident as a failure of judgment, stating that he should have consulted Goodwin beforehand and ultimately withheld the joke because it lacked humor. Angelone clarified that while he generally defends his right to tackle difficult subjects, this specific comment did not meet that standard. He denied that the apology was intended to quickly resolve the situation, admitting instead that external criticism helped him recognize the severity of his error. Angelone confirmed that he has since contacted Goodwin privately to offer a direct apology. The comedian concluded his statement by committing to improved conduct in the future. The dispute highlights tensions within comedy communities regarding the boundaries of satire involving real individuals with sensitive legal histories. Goodwin continues to face her ongoing legal proceedings, while the podcast maintains its format of inviting guests to critique featured comedians. The exchange underscores the growing scrutiny placed on digital content creators who reference private traumas in public entertainment contexts.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

TheJournal.ie logoTheJournal.ieIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 854 days ago
'It isn't funny': Comedian Vittorio Angelone apologises for joking about woman being raped

Irish comedian Vittorio Angelone issued a formal apology after making a joke referencing the rape of Rebecca Goodwin, a British influencer whose legal case is currently under review. During a segment on the 'Have A Word' podcast, Angelone joked about who was responsible for assaulting Goodwin, a comment that sparked significant online criticism after Goodwin stated she had not consented to being named in such a manner. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre condemned the remark, arguing that trivializing sexual violence discourages survivors from seeking justice and reporting crimes. In his statement, Angelone acknowledged that his desire for audience approval had overridden his moral standards, admitting that the joke was inappropriate and harmful. He confirmed that he has apologized directly to Goodwin and pledged to exercise greater caution regarding sensitive topics in his future performances.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a specific incident involving a public figure and a private individual, focusing on the subsequent apology and institutional response rather than partisan politics. While the subject matter involves gender-based violence and public discourse, which often carries ideological nu

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the core facts of the incident: the specific quote from the podcast, the identity of the victim (Rebecca Goodwin), her status as an influencer/OnlyFans creator, the ongoing nature of her legal case, and the apology issued by the comedian. It aligns perfectly with the c

Why objectivity (85): The tone is largely neutral and journalistic. While the headline uses direct quotes ('It isn't funny') which adds some emphasis, the body text sticks to reporting the events and quoting the parties involved without injecting editorial opinion or moralizing beyond what is attributed to the sources.

The Irish Times logoThe Irish TimesIndependent🔒CenterFactual 75Objective 854 days ago
Irish comedian Vittorio Angelone apologises for rape joke about content creator

Irish comedian Vittorio Angelone issued an apology after making a rape-related joke about Rebecca Goodwin, an English content creator whose sexual assault case is currently under review in UK courts. Goodwin expressed disappointment via TikTok, noting that the remark was broadcast on the 'Have a Word' podcast during a roast episode dedicated to another comedian, Freddy Quinne. Although the specific segment was initially available only to subscribers on Patreon, Angelone subsequently shared a screenshot of the moment with his large Instagram audience, triggering significant online backlash. Rachel Morrogh, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, criticized the incident, stating that treating rape as a punchline harms survivors and discourages them from seeking justice. Angelone stated in a public statement that he regretted the comment and had reached out to Goodwin privately to offer his apologies.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a controversy involving gender-based violence, legal proceedings, and public accountability. While these issues carry inherent political weight regarding social norms and institutional responses, the piece maintains a strictly neutral tone. It presents direct quotes from both,

Why factuality (75): The article accurately reflects the core facts of the incident: the comedian's apology, the victim's identity and status (active trial), the specific quote from the apology, and the reaction from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. However, there is no primary source available to verify specific details

Why objectivity (85): The tone is largely neutral and journalistic. It presents the comedian's apology, the victim's perspective, and the advocacy group's condemnation without injecting personal opinion or emotionally charged adjectives beyond those used in direct quotes. The framing allows multiple voices to be heard.

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