Late Night Lycett: petition launched to reinstate four-legged camera assistant sacked on air

Brummie comedian Joe Lycett has faced some “backlash” after he fired a beloved camera assistant on air during the second episode of his Channel 4 Late Night Lycett show.

A petition was launched to reinstate the four-legged camera assistant - who was unceremoniously fired - by one of her supporters.

Lycett had said: “Linda Biscuits, this is not the sort of behaviour I will tolerate from a crew member. No, it is unprofessional.

“There is a code of conduct and p*ssing on this set is definitely overstepping the mark. We sacked Carlos the sound man for the same thing, I can’t do double standards. Linda, you’re sacked.”

Who is Linda Biscuits?

Well, that’s the gag. Linda Biscuits is a Labrador who also “mans” one of the cameras on the show. When Lycett fired her, she quietly walked away from her position.

However, guests - actress Daisy May Cooper, actor David Harewood, television presenter Rylan Clark and Radio 1 breakfast host Greg James - did not like what Lycett did.

There were boos and chanting of “Linda” from the guests and audience.

Petition to reinstate Linda

A Twitter account named Mary Puppins has shared a petition on Change.org to get Linda her job back.

The Twitter user tweeted: “Having watched #LateNightLycett on Friday, I was shocked to see @joelycett fire a member of his crew LIVE on the show after she had a ruff day. I am #TeamLindaBiscuits and have started a petition to reinstate her role.”

The petition already has 377 signatures and needs a total of 500.

The Change.org petition described Linda as “an eager camera trainee operator formerly employed on Channel 4’s Late Night Lycett.” Working for Late Night Lycett, was reportedly “her dream job” but she was “fired just two weeks into her role live on air on Friday 7th April.”

It further says: “The dismissal was made by the show’s host, Joe Lycett, who accused Linda of urinating on the floor of the studio. The decision was made by Joe only, and with immediate effect. It was a humiliating blow for Linda.

“According to the GOV.UK website, a dismissal could be unfair if the employer does not have a good reason for dismissing you or follow the company’s formal disciplinary or dismissal process. There was no discussion with the wider team or the channel about Linda’s future on the trainee programme prior to this.

“We are therefore starting a petition to reinstate Linda Biscuits as part of the Late Night Lycett crew, ahead of Friday’s show (14th April).”

Comedian Katherine Ryan - who was supposed to appear on the show - tweeted: “I had worse experiences with other members of crew - TOTAL ineptitude on set of #LateNightLycett. An entire production staff of dogs sniffing their own arses would make better TV.”

Meanwhile, Joe Lycett said: “This has got out of hand”

You can sign the Petition on Change.org website.