Calls for Craig Revel Horwood to be sacked over rape comments

Craig Revel Horwood is never one to mince his words, but his latest comments on a quiz show have ruffled one or two more feathers than usual.

In fact, the leader of one charity has even called for the star to be SACKED.

The row was sparked during an episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats on Channel 4 on Tuesday night when the 51-year-old was asked if he watches Game of Thrones.

“No, I persevered for the first series until the dragon came on and that’s when I switched off,” he replied.

“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.”

Fellow panellists Katherine Ryan and Aisling Bea were less than impressed, with the latter asking Craig exactly what it was that bored him.

“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,” she asked aghast.

While some might think that Craig’s deadpan comments would be taken as typical of his droll sense of humour, Marilyn Hawes, founder of Enough Abuse UK, thinks that heads should roll.

“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.”

Of course, Game of Thrones has come under fire for its brutal scenes plenty of times in the past, but actress Sophie Turner, whose character Sansa Stark was raped by Ramsay Bolton in the series, has defended the graphic imagery.

“The oppression of women happened, and rape still happens, particularly in wars and arranged marriages,” she said. “Why is there so much attention when it happens on television and not when it happens in the real world? It happens every day all over the world and you never hear about it.”