Only Connect viewers were stunned by an outrageous innuendo delivered by host Victoria Coren Micthell in the closing moments of Monday’s episode.
The 52-year-old is famous for bookending each episode with a witty monologue, but this edition had viewers claiming she had gone “too far.”
Coren Mitchell began the show continuing a regular joke that her intro had been written by an AI.
In this edition, she kidded that the AI had compiled her intro for the BBC religious programme Songs of Praise.
Despite fans previously tiring of the AI schtick, it was the 52-year-old’s outro that left fans stunned.
In her ending monologue, Coren Mitchell revisited an infamous joke about a secret passion she harbours for former politician and GB News presenter Michael Portillo.
Fans were divided over Coren Mitchell’s monologue
BBC
On Monday’s show, her Portillo gag began with a deliberately long-winded setup.
She said: “Coming up next on BBC Two is another episode in that wonderful series sponsored by the RSPB, where celebrities look after birds before handing them on to other celebrities to raise awareness of struggling avian numbers.”
Stringing the audience along, Coren Micthell continued: “I have so enjoyed watching the big names of BBC Two passing their feathered dependents onto other presenters that I’ve decided to join in myself.”
“Tonight, I will eagerly be taking several swallows from Michael Portillo,” she concluded with sly grin, shocking fans.
The innuendo was aimed at GB Presenter Michael Portillo
PA
Viewers rushed to social media to share their reactions to the outrageous sexual innuendo.
“Eww @VictoriaCoren I can’t hear that Portillo gag at the end of Only Connect,” one unimpressed fan wrote.
Another outraged viewer declared: “@VictoriaCoren you took it too far.”
“Full on choked at the closing comment on this evening’s episode of #onlyconnect. Did not expect that,” a third reacted.
“Somewhat traumatised by @VictoriaCorenparting shot on #OnlyConnect tonight!!” an incredulous fourth responded.
A fourth simply said the monologue was: “Utter filth.”
The monologue was part of a long running gag form Coren Mitchell
BBC
“Filth…” agreed another but with a cheeky winking emoji.
One viewer had a complex view, calling the comment a “pretty near the knuckle innuendo” that they had no problem as racy humour was “part of being British”.
However, they asked: “Wis the difference between what VC said & what Greg Wallace said?”
The commenter was referencing the current scandal surrounding former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace.
Several women have come forward to accuse him of inappropriate conduct, including making crude sexual jokes.
