Joe Lycett shocked fans after appearing to shred £10,000 of his own cash because David Beckham did not pull out of his mega money sponsorship deal with Qatar.
The 34-year-old comedian has slammed 'gay icon' David's sponsorship deal as an ambassador that is said to be earning the former footballer £150m over 10 years.
The issue of workers' and LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar is still a hot topic in the build up to the 2022 World Cup.
Joe appeared briefly on a Twitch stream dressed in a flamboyant rainbow coloured outfit as he calmly picked up the stacks of what appeared to be cash and dropped them into the shredder like a scene out of a sick horror film.
The paper then exploded out of the front of the machine in tiny pieces never to be used as currency again.
Without raising so much as a smirk, Joe curtseyed to the camera and walked off screen.
Seconds later, the stream and his website Benderslikebeckham.com appeared to go offline and Joe tweeted a video of the destruction with the caption: "A platform for progress."
Although it is not clear if he used real money, the move still promoted a huge divided response from Joe's followers.
Bev Doherty said: "Can you not shred monopoly money and give the actual cash to Trussel Trust instead? Your point is spot on but it seems like a real waste when people are desperately hungry.."
Jackie Brown commented: "While I understand you are making a point, but all I can think about all the people who are struggling financially."
Sarah Jones commented: "Those saying the money could be donated instead are totally missing the point."
Victoria said: "You kept to your word. Good for you. I watched in shock. Bye love the outfit."
Callum wrote: "For the people missing the point. It's Joe's money. If he'd have bought a watch or a car we wouldn't have cared.
"The point isn't about him shredding money, it's about highlighting the issues with celebrities taking far greater sums from a country with an awful human rights record."
Twitter user Bob wrote: "Shred it, put it all into a clear plastic box and display it at an art show with a plaque: "Beckhams Reputation", donate ticket sales to good charities, easily clear more than 10k with people wanting to see the 10k bits."
Others suggested the money should instead be donated to foodbank charities.
Following the deal, Beckham said: "Qatar dreamed of bringing the World Cup to a place that it had never been before, but that it wouldn't be enough just to achieve things on the pitch. The pitch would be a platform for progress.
"Dreams can come true. That is why you are here. You share Generation Amazing's twin passions for the game of football and for making the world a more tolerant and inclusive place."
Joe recently sent to the retired footballer's PR team, as the clock ticks for the former England captain ahead of the World Cup kicking off this week.
In the email, Joe tells a representative for David how there is 'still time' for the dad-of-four to 'do the right thing' and step down as an ambassador for Qatar throughout the upcoming World Cup held in the country.
The former Sewing Bee presenter takes a swipe at David's 'radio silence' about his ultimatum in the recently shared email, as Joe prepares to either give £10,000 of his own money to charity this weekend or shred it should David not meet his demands.
Last week, Joe publicly urged David to drop his £10 million partnership with the World Cup in Qatar - where homosexuality is illegal - and called on the star to remember his loyalty to the LGBTQ+ community.
In the email shared by Joe to his Twitter page this afternoon, the comedian writes: "I've managed to get myself into a bit of a pickle - I've been a bit daft and publicly announced that I'm going to shred £10k on Sunday if David doesn't end his relationship with Qatar, or donate the cash to LGBTQ+ charities if he does, yet we're now four days out and I haven't heard a peep from him."
He continues: "Could you do me a solid and let me know if there's any chance he might budge on his position, or am I to expect radio silence on this? I really don't want to shred ten grand!!!
"I also really don't want a national treasure that has historically supported the LGBTQ+ community to publicly endorse and advertise a nation state that has an appalling human rights record and has the death penalty for gays - call me old fashioned!!!!!!"
Joe concludes his email saying: "There's still time for David and his team to do the right thing. I'm happy to speak to you about this at any time that you find convenient."
The comedian signed off his email to David's representatives by attaching a rainbow emoji alongside his full name.
David is yet to publicly respond to any of Joe's pleas.
Joe's original message to the under-pressure star, shared on his site benderslikebeckham, reads: "This is a message to David Beckham. I consider you, along with Kim Woodburn and Monty Don, to be a gay icon. You were the first premiership footballer to do shoots with gay magazines like Attitude, to speak openly about your gay fans, and you married a Spice Girl which is the gayest thing a human being can do.
"But now it’s 2022 and you’ve signed a reported £10 million deal with Qatar to be their ambassador during the FIFA World Cup. Qatar was voted as the one of the worst places in the world to be gay - homosexuality is illegal, punishable by imprisonment, and if you’re Muslim, possibly even death.
It continues: "You have always talked about the power of football as a force for good. Which suggests to me you have never seen West Brom. But generally I agree - so with that in mind I’m giving you a choice. If you end your relationship with Qatar I will donate ten grand of my own money (that’s a grand for every million you’re reportedly getting) to charities that support queer people in football.
However, if you do not I will throw the money into a shredder at midday next Sunday, just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it right here. Not just the money, but also your status as gay icon will be shredded.
Also you'll be forcing me to commit what might be a crime. Although even then, I reckon I'll get off more lightly than I would if I got caught whacking off a lad in Doha.
"The choice is yours. I look forward to hearing from you."
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033
