Lucien Laviscount had some strong words for the Conservative government as he walked the champagne carpet at Sunday night's (March 12) 95th Annual Academy Awards. The Emily in Paris star was interviewed by Good Morning Britain's (GMB) North America correspondent Noel Phillips in scenes that were broadcast on Monday morning UK time (March 13).
After last year's dramatic ceremony saw Will Smith hit with a ten year ban after slapping Chris Rock, the 2023 edition was a much calmer occasion. "The Oscars might have been a slightly quieter affair with no punches thrown, but it was still a historic night," Noel told GMB presenters Ed Balls and Susanna Reid, The Mirror reports.
"It’s worth saying this year’s ceremony wasn't the most memorable or eventful, which will be a huge relief to the Academy, especially after the last 12 months they have had," he added. "Nonetheless it was an historic night. We saw Everything Everywhere All at Once winning seven of its 11 nominations."
Read more: Gary Lineker hailed as 'hero' after BBC reinstates Match of the Day host
"Here on the red carpet, one storyline which got a lot of guests talking about as they walked down this champagne-coloured carpet was the row between the BBC and Gary Lineker."
The 95th Annual Academy Awards came as the BBC's row with Lineker dragged on, with the broadcaster's football coverage being the subject of much disruption over the weekend. The chaos came about after the pundit posted some tweets in which he spoke out against the proposed Illegal Migration Bill.
A hot topic of discussion, Noel asked Lucien about the row, to which the actor, who was once a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother, simply replied: "F*** the Tories." A pre-recorded clip of Lucien's statement was shown on GMB, although the swear word had been bleeped out, with the accompanying middle finger blurred out.
Elsewhere on the champagne carpet, Noel spoke to Chic's Nile Rodgers who said regarding the row: "If somehow caring about people offends somebody, you know what I say to that? It's not good for television."
It was announced this morning that Lineker would be returning to Match of the Day following his BBC suspension as director general of the BBC Tim Davie apologised for the disruption to this weekend's football programming, announcing that an independent review of the BBC's social media policies would be taking place. In a joint statement with Davie, Lineker said: "I am glad that we have found a way forward.
"I support this review and look forward to getting back on air."
Lineker then thanked colleagues for supporting him throughout a "surreal few days", after a number of sports commentators refused to appear on Match of the Day during his suspension. Ian Wright was at the helm of the movement, with Alex Scott, Dion Dublin, Steve Wilson and Alan Shearer - to name a few broadcasters and pundits - following suit.
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