Belfast comedian Vittorio Angelone criticised for rape joke about Assault Victim

Angelone apologises after joke condemned by rape crisis centres

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Updated21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Belfast comedian Vittorio Angelone has apologised after making a rape joke referring to a woman who had publicly spoken about experiencing sexual violence. Rape crisis organisations in Northern Ireland and Dublin have condemned the comments.

The remarks were made during a podcast episode in 2025.

Angelone apologised on Instagram, writing that he let his 'need for validation supersede my own standards and morals' and called his actions 'completely pathetic'. He said he had reached out to the woman and apologised directly.

Rape Crisis Northern Ireland said the remarks contribute to a 'culture in which rape and sexual violence can be trivialised'. The charity stated: 'When rape becomes a punchline and sexual violence is treated as entertainment, it becomes easier to dismiss its impact and harder for survivors to speak out.' Rachel Morrogh, Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said treating sexual violence as a joke 'betrays a deep lack of understanding of what survivors have lived through.'

Angelone is set to star in his first major acting role in the upcoming BBC sitcom Rewarding. The makers of the podcast and BBC Northern Ireland have been contacted for comment.

Analysis

Why This Matters

This incident strikes at the heart of the debate over comedians' duty of care when discussing sexual violence, showing how a few words in a 'roast' can retraumatise victims and normalise a culture of minimisation.
It places a spotlight on the BBC, a global public service broadcaster, which is yet to comment on its relationship with the comedian ahead of his role in an upcoming sitcom.
It feeds into a wider societal reckoning across the UK and Ireland with violence against women and girls, challenging institutions to move beyond platitudes.

Background

The story is the latest flashpoint in a protracted cultural argument over the limits of comedy, specifically the 'roast' format. It occurs against a backdrop of heightened awareness of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the UK and Ireland, where multiple high-profile cases and campaigns have forced a reassessment of how sexual assault is treated in public life. The BBC, as a major employer of comedians, has faced similar controversies before over the conduct and material of its talent.

Key Perspectives

Rebecca Goodwin and Rape Crisis Charities: The joke was deeply harmful, trivialising a violent crime and creating an environment where survivors are discouraged from speaking out. They argue that those with public platforms bear a responsibility to consider the impact of their words. Vittorio Angelone: Has publicly apologised, accepting that his actions were driven by a flawed 'need for validation' and acknowledging the pain he caused. The Comedy Industry and Broadcasters: Face questions about the curation and longevity of content produced behind paywalls, and the duty of care owed to individuals referenced in such material.

What to Watch

Whether the BBC reviews the involvement of Vittorio Angelone in its upcoming sitcom Rewarding.
Whether the podcast episode is edited or removed from behind its paywall by the producers.
The potential for a broader industry response from podcast networks and comedy venues regarding safeguarding policies for 'roast' events.

Sources

Belfast comedian criticised for rape 'joke' about assault victim · BBC Northern Ireland
Belfast comedian criticised for rape 'joke' about assault victim · BBC News
Belfast comedian criticised for rape 'joke' about assault victim · BBC News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedBelfast comedian Vittorio Angelone was criticised for a rape joke about an assault victim.BBC News: “A Belfast comedian has been criticised for making a rape "joke" about a woman who had recently spoken publicly about being the victim of a sexual assault.”
Partly supportedAngelone apologised after a joke was condemned by rape crisis centres.BBC News: “Vittorio Angelone, who has since apologised on social media”
SupportedAngelone apologised after making a rape joke referring to a woman who had publicly spoken about experiencing sexual violence.BBC News: “referred to content creator Rebecca Goodwin in a remark about rape which he made in a podcast episode in 2025.”
Partly supportedRape crisis organisations in Northern Ireland and Dublin condemned Angelone’s comments.BBC News: “Rape Crisis Northern Ireland and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre have both criticised the remarks.”
SupportedAngelone made the remarks during a podcast episode in 2025.BBC News: “During a 2025 episode of the 'Have a Word' podcast, Angelone asked of fellow comedian Freddy Quinne "if you're here, who's raping Rebecca Goodwin?"”
SupportedAngelone apologised on Instagram, saying he let his “need for validation supersede my own standards and morals” and calling it “completely pathetic”.BBC News: “In a statement on Instagram, Angelone said he let his "need for validation supersede my own standards and morals". "It's completely pathetic and I'm ashamed to realise that about myself," he said.”
SupportedAngelone said he had reached out to the woman and apologised directly.BBC News: “Angelone said he has reached out to Goodwin and apologised directly.”
SupportedRape Crisis Northern Ireland said the remarks contribute to a culture in which rape and sexual violence can be trivialised.BBC News: “Rape Crisis Northern Ireland said they were "very disappointed to hear of the comments made by Vittorio Angelone which contribute to a culture in which rape and sexual violence can be trivialised".”
SupportedRape Crisis Northern Ireland said that treating rape as a punchline and sexual violence as entertainment makes it easier to dismiss the impact and harder for survivors to speak out.BBC News: “"When rape becomes a punchline and sexual violence is treated as entertainment, it becomes easier to dismiss its impact and harder for survivors to speak out."”
SupportedRachel Morrogh, chief executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said treating sexual violence as a joke betrays a lack of understanding of survivors’ experiences.BBC News: “Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, said: "For survivors, hearing rape treated as a punchline can be deeply hurtful, and it reinforces the attitudes that discourage people from coming forward. "Anyone with a public platform, including performers, promoters and venues, has a responsibility to consider who is listening and the harm this kind of material can do. To treat sexual violence as a joke betrays a deep lack of understanding of what survivors have lived through."”
SupportedAngelone is set to feature in his first major acting role in the upcoming BBC sitcom Rewarding.BBC News: “Angelone will feature in his first major acting role in upcoming BBC sitcom Rewarding, which is set to air this autumn.”
SupportedThe podcast’s makers and BBC Northern Ireland have been contacted for comment.BBC News: “The makers of the podcast have been contacted for comment.”