A charity urging BBC to sack judge Craig Revel Horwood after he said he 'liked' the rape scene in the hit TV series Game of Thrones. (Source: Channel 4)
An abuse charity is urging the BBC to sack Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood after he said he "liked" rape scenes in hit TV series Game of Thrones.
Revel Horwood, 51, was on the iMore comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats on Tuesday night when he made the controversial comment, reports The Daily Mail.
The dancer - who was an outspoken judge for several seasons of Dancing with the Stars in New Zealand - was discussing the hit American fantasy drama series with other panelists on the show.
Sansa Stark is raped by Ramsay Bolton in season five of Game of Thrones. Photo / AP
Game of Thrones has attracted millions of fans around the world, but has received criticism for its use of nudity and violence.
Host Jimmy Carr, 44, asked Revel Horwood if he watched the programme and he replied: "No, I persevered for the first series until the dragon came on and that's when I switched off.
"I liked all the sex scenes and the rape and I liked the cleavers through the skulls and I liked all of that, but I got very bored in the end."
Irish actress Aisling Bea, 32, who was on his team, looked horrified at his rape comment before quickly replying after he said he got "bored" watching the show.
She said: "When they weren't raping anyone? Am I the only one who heard that? What world are we living in? Oh Trump's world, fine, keep going."
Comedian Katherine Ryan also looked on in disgust, then the audience clapped and Revel Horwood and the other panelists joined in.
Marilyn Hawes, founder of Enough Abuse UK, said she was "absolutely disgusted" by his comment.
His controversial comments shocked people on the show, especiall Aisling Bea (middle). Photo / Channel 4
She said: "Craig's comments are deeply disrespectful. Rape is the most devastating and vile crime and I would have to question him as a person and his merit as a judge on the Strictly Come Dancing panel, which is a family show.
"His comment would have enraged many women and men who have been raped. How could he say he liked that scene? I'm absolutely disgusted.
"You cannot have people on a family show with that mindset. I think the BBC should get rid of him. It is so distressing for people who have been raped to hear that.
"I'm a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing. It's not a reflection on his ability as a judge or dancer, I enjoy watching him, however it is going on in his mind, which is concerning.
"When you are in such a high-profile position you cannot afford to make comments like this. He has done himself no favours by saying this. You cannot have someone glibly talking about rape like this, it's jaw-droppingly awful."
