BROADCASTER Kate Garraway is facing backlash after calling Jonathan Ross “brave” for his statement about David Walliams.
It comes after Ross said he was “horrified” by behaviour, claiming he had been “genuinely unaware” of either his or ‘s conduct.
Now, the ‘s presenter is battling criticism on air and offline after defending his statement, saying she believed he “didn’t know” what was going on.
Addressing “laddish” attitudes on panel shows and in the media industry more broadly, Kate said: “I think [Ross] has been rather brave about coming out and saying this.”
But presenter Ayesha Hazarika said it was “nonsense” Ross could have been unaware about how the likes of Walliams and Brand behaved, referencing a clip from The Big Fat Quiz of the Year.
The episode, which aired in 2007, saw as he appeared on the panel alongside singer Lily Allen, who was 21 at the time and the only woman on the show.
Ross told host Jimmy Carr: “You’ve put the only attractive young lady near to two of the best known coxmen in the business.
“I’m going to move over here. And then Lilly [Allen] might go home with her dress still on.
Noel Fielding said: “How dare you, we’re not rapists.”
A grinning Brand said: “What if, horror of horrors, he ain’t even done a rape. You could ruin his career.”
He then casually asked Fielding: “Have you done a rape?”
The clip resurfaced after Brand was jailed for ten-and-a-half years for rape and three counts of sexual assault.
“They were part of a culture where it was just hilarious to joke about doing something to a woman, a woman who’s there with you – that is not okay,” said Ayesha.
Kate’s defence of Ross received as much criticism off air.
On X, one user wrote: “Women like Kate are the reason many women stay silent.”
Another said: “What about Ross joking about taking 15 year old backstage?”
One wrote: “It’s NOT brave, he’s a coward who’s trying to deflect and distance himself from Brand and Walliams.
“It’s a sick comment from Garraway”.
Ross had previously appeared to hint at Walliams’ behaviour back at an award ceremony in 2004.
He said: “The awards is 15 years old – 15 years old! And like most 15-year-olds, it’s drunk, it’s unpredictable and it’s probably going home with David Walliams.”
Ross said he recognised how “deeply shocking” it was to revisit footage in light of the allegations against Walliams, insisting the joke had been submitted to him by a scriptwriting team.
The quip was allegedly a reference to Walliams’ interest in younger women but Ross agreed it was a “tasteless” joke regardless.
It comes after ITV News and the Guardian against Walliams in an which aired on Tuesday.
Multiple women have alleged he preyed on them as teens and effectively “groomed” them.
Walliams, who previously sought an injunction, has strongly denied all allegations.
He said in a statement he was and “hurt” to think he had upset women in his past – while admitting he had “regrets” about past behaviour.
