Joe Lycett: comedian mocks Rupert Murdoch after two-week engagement to Ann Lesley Smith ends

Joe Lycett has taken a dig at media entrepreneur Rupert Murdoch, after his two-week engagement to Ann Lesley Smith ended
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Joe Lycett took a dig at Rupert Murdoch over his failed engagement during his opening monologue of Late Night Lycett on Channel 4.

It was reported last week that the media entrepreneur had called off his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith just weeks after announcing their plans to marry.

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Joe, 34, from Birmingham, began the second episode of his Channel 4 show with a monologue about the billionaire.

Late Night LycettLate Night Lycett
Late Night Lycett

He told his live audience: “Rupert Murdoch’s had a big week, he’s broken off his engagement.

“People say she was only after his money but I think that’s unfair, she may have just really been turned on by a flaccid, yellow, 92-year-old c***,”

The Late Night Lycett audience reacted with laughs at the joke, appearing slightly shocked by the comments, with Joe responding with: “What? What’s he gonna do to me?”

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Joe then paused as he thought about his question before adding: “F***ing everything”.

Rupert Murdoch, 92 reportedly ‘calls off’ engagement to Ann Lesley Smith 2 weeks after proposalRupert Murdoch, 92 reportedly ‘calls off’ engagement to Ann Lesley Smith 2 weeks after proposal
Rupert Murdoch, 92 reportedly ‘calls off’ engagement to Ann Lesley Smith 2 weeks after proposal

The comedian took aim at the media mogul who has been previously married four times, including to ex-wife Jerry Hall, who he divorced last year.

Last month Rupert Murdoch, 92, announced his engagement to the former dental hygienist, Ann Lesley Smith, 66.

At the time, Rupert Murdoch told the New York Post: “I was very nervous. I dreaded falling in love – but I knew this would be my last. It better be. I’m happy,”.

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It was then reported on 4 April, that the pair had ‘abruptly’ called off their engagement.

A source told Vanity Fair that the pair had called off their upcoming nuptials alleging that Rupert was uncomfortable with Ann’s ‘evangelical views’.

Ann, who had also been married previously, told the Christian Broadcasting Network that she found meaning in her life through religion.

She said after her “bitter” divorce: “I was so hurt, so alone, and so rejected… And I prayed for God to help me and forgive me of my sins.

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“The Lord gave me thirst and a hunger for Him, and I actually replaced the things of the world with the Scriptures. As I began to walk with God, the things of the world just seemed pointless to me.”

How to watch Late Night Lycett

Joe Lycett hosts Late Night Lycett live from Digbeth every Friday night.

The programme is broadcast live on Channel 4 every Friday night at 10pm.

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