Victoria Coren Mitchell, the host of the BBC quiz show Only Connect, has publicly urged gender-critical activist Graham Linehan to cease his persistent messages related to trans rights and the contestants of her program. This call for restraint came following remarks made by Linehan on X (formerly Twitter), where he posed a provocative question concerning the inclusion of a contestant named Emily in women’s spaces, including sports and shelters.
Linehan, a writer known for his controversial views against the trans community, tagged Coren Mitchell in his post, asking for a simple “yes or no” answer on Emily’s eligibility for these spaces. In response, Coren Mitchell shared a screenshot of an extended message meant for Linehan, which exceeded the character limit for direct posting on the platform.
In her message, she described Linehan’s approach as persistent, expressing her discomfort with his attempts to provoke a reaction. “In my experience Graham, nothing will suffice to stop you pestering me,” she wrote, emphasizing the lighthearted nature of Only Connect. Coren Mitchell also invoked the positive past relationship they once shared and expressed her desire for him to cease his commentary. “You MUST be better than this,” she concluded, imploring him to leave the contestants alone.
Public reaction to Coren Mitchell’s response was overwhelmingly supportive, with many praising her composure and decorum in handling Linehan’s remarks. One user commended her for maintaining class amidst the controversy, lamenting the presence of hate in current discourse.
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This is not the first time Coren Mitchell has addressed Linehan’s comments about Only Connect. Previously, in 2022, he accused her of failing to counter homophobic sentiments after the show featured a queer couple. Coren Mitchell publicly urged Linehan to stop his negative commentary, insisting that the contestants were simply individuals bringing joy to the quiz format. Moreover, when questioned about the terminology used in the show, she clarified that “queer” was not a term they adopted, defending the contestants’ right to their identities without engaging in discord.
The contestant in question has been a part of the current series of Only Connect, which has aired on BBC Four and later BBC Two since its inception in 2008. Coren Mitchell has been the show’s host throughout its entire run.
Interestingly, Linehan’s activism in recent years has overshadowed his earlier career as a TV writer. Earlier this year, he was arrested on suspicions of inciting violence against trans women but was released without charge after a police investigation. This event also led to changing policies regarding the investigation of non-crime hate incidents by the Metropolitan Police.
The ongoing discourse surrounding gender rights continues to ignite debate, with figures like Coren Mitchell advocating for respectful dialogue while facing the challenges posed by more controversial voices like Linehan’s.
