Top 10 Controversial British Celebrity Rants

Top 10 Controversial British Celebrity Rants

They’re mad as hell, and they’re not going to take this anymore! Welcome to WatchMojo UK and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Controversial British Celebrity Rants.

For this list, we’re looking at the most contentious outbursts out there, which unfortunately for the celeb in question, were recorded - whether they were aware of it or not! Anyone in the limelight is prone to the odd public tantrum now and then, but British celebrities are more outspoken than most and have very particular ways of expressing themselves.

#10: Danny Dyer on David Cameron
“Good Evening Britain” (2018)

Danny Dyer, Jeremy Corbyn and Pamela Anderson is the combination you never knew you wanted but always needed. That was the panel of guests who were invited on to a one-off edition of “Good Evening Britain” – a prime-time spin off of the topical morning news show. And when talk turned to Brexit, Dyer couldn’t resist chirping in with his expert opinion. Known for cutting to the chase and saying things as they are, Danny was on top form here as he took ex-Prime Minister David Cameron to task, calling him out for starting the whole mess in the first place.

#9: Jeremy Clarkson on Public Sector Strikes
“The One Show” (2006-)

Never a stranger to controversy, motormouth Jeremy Clarkson was let off his leash on BBC’s “The One Show”. And he promptly showed exactly why he perhaps wasn’t the one who should have been asked for his opinion on public sector workers going on strike. To the visible discomfort of the hosts, Jeremy nonchalantly joked about having them all shot. The joke, which unfolded on live TV, resulted in an apology from the show, as well as Clarkson, and the BBC itself… perhaps as a result of the reported 21,000 letters of complaint the broadcaster received.

#8: Kim Woodburn in the Big Brother House
“Celebrity Big Brother” (2001-)

There’ve been plenty of polemics, episodes and full on breakdowns within the Big Brother house since the show’s conception in the year 2000. Such scenes have proven to be far more tortuous than anything in George Orwell’s “1984”, the novel from which the series got its name. But the absolute, top drawer, grade A, prime cut example of the chaos is Kim Woodburn’s total meltdown during one of the many celebrity editions of “BB”. Woodburn famously snapped at her fellow housemates, threatening them to the point that security had to intervene.

#7: Gordon Brown on Gillian Duffy

Unlike previously entries on this list, Gordon Brown was totally oblivious to the fact that this verbal tirade was being recorded. After a heated exchange with one of his party’s own voters, Gordon has the misfortune of mistakenly leaving his mic on once he had got into his car. It was there he was heard calling the women “bigoted” in a gaff that made headlines nationwide. It all played out like something you would expect to see in a satirical comedy sketch, but sometimes real life is stranger than fiction!

#6: Christian Bale’s Behind-the-Scenes Anger

Arguably the angriest entry on today’s list, Bale exhibited more rage here than when he interrogated The Joker, and more passion than during his entire performance in “Terminator: Salvation”. In fact, it was on the set of said “Terminator” film where Christian had the biggest diva moment of his career, and as it was with Gordon Brown, it was all recorded without him realising. Bale totally lost it when the cinematographer walked on set whilst he was filming a scene, causing the actor to explode into four minutes of vitriol aimed at the hapless production member.

#5: Kevin Keegan on Manchester United

In football, Alex Ferguson was the master of mind games. And he had Kevin Keegan jumping through hoops here. Keegan’s Newcastle had already thrown away a 12-point lead over Ferguson’s Manchester United in the Premier League during the 95/96 season. And the pressure had clearly mounted and boiled over during a post-match interview, where Kevin went off on Fergie as part of a now-infamous diatribe. It was all downhill from there for The Magpies, as the Manchester club went on to lift the trophy with four points to spare.

#4: Piers Morgan on Gender Choice
“Good Morning Britain” (2014-)

The always opinionated Piers Morgan has never been shy about bursting into a harangue over some topic or another. But, the occasion he had gender choice in his sights may just be the most infamous. To the ire of his co-hosts, Piers laid into the UK’s former mental health tsar for her opinion on gender labels in what seemed an especially never-ending segment of “Good Morning Britain”. In fact, with how much Morgan had to say on the subject, the fiery debate may even still be going on now!

#3: Katie Hopkins on Children’s Names
“This Morning” (1988-)

If there’s anyone who can top Piers Morgan on the strong, vocal opinion scale, it’s Katie Hopkins! Hopkins came to the attention of the British public when she appeared on an edition of “This Morning” to explain how she judges children by their names. The whole thing was a blatant act of class warfare and probably done for attention more than anything else. Host Holly Willoughby could barely contain her outrage! Most amusingly, Hopkins expressed she has a distaste for geographical based names, despite naming her daughter “India”. So, go figure.

#2: Russell Brand on American Politics
“Real Time with Bill Maher” (2003-)

Leave it to Russell Brand to engage in a debate over American politics – and convince many that he actually has a valid point. This was a rant from a place of Zen, as Russell eloquently made his points on “Real Time with Bill Maher” despite repeated interruptions from the host. Brand took the tired ‘left versus right’ discourse and deconstructed it, laying bare what he proposed was the truth of the matter in the process. This certainly wasn’t the first time Russell has frustrated talking heads on US TV, and it's doubtful it will be the last!

#1: Stephen Fry on God
“The Meaning of Life” (2009-)

It doesn’t get much more controversial than a broadside aimed squarely at God, on an Irish religious television programme nonetheless! Stephen Fry is the divine-questioning culprit, and when he’s asked what he would do if confronted by his creator he really doesn’t hold back. Fry starts off reasonably chirpy, for a moment anyway, before swiftly turning the mood and reciting the exact grilling he would give to the holy father. Stunned interviewer Gay Byrne is at a near loss for words but manages to point out it’s the longest answer he’s ever received! He’s got a way with words, that man.