Controversy and Cancellation Loom Over GB News’s ‘Headliners’ Comedy Show

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Controversy and Cancellation Loom Over GB News’s ‘Headliners’ Comedy Show

 

GB News’s late-night comedy programme Headliners may be on the verge of cancellation following a wave of public backlash and regulatory scrutiny. The channel, known for its right-leaning content and challenge to mainstream media narratives, is reportedly considering axing the show after receiving thousands of complaints, including a formal petition and an ongoing Ofcom investigation.

 

GB News' Headliners take no prisoners criticising pro-Gaza MP @AyoubKhanMP, who believes Pakistani heritage rape gangs are a "false right-wing narrative". 

GB News' Headliners take no prisoners criticising pro-Gaza MP @AyoubKhanMP, who believes Pakistani heritage rape gangs are a "false right-wing narrative".

Described by @PaulCoxComedy as "utterly deplorable", while @nickdixoncomic describes it as "denialism".@LeoKearse "we… pic.twitter.com/rCQJxm6kep

— David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) April 20, 2025

 

Comedian and panellist Lewis Schaffer hinted at the uncertainty surrounding the programme’s future in a social media post on X, formerly Twitter. “I’m heading into the studio! I’ve been told by management that the show will be on air for another two weeks while they decide what to do!” he wrote. During Saturday’s episode, Schaffer cryptically stated on air, “We’re not allowed to talk about it,” to which host Leo Kearse replied, “Thank you for not talking about it.” GB News has refused to confirm whether the show is indeed on the chopping block, declining to comment on its future.

I'm heading into the studio! I've been told by management that the show will be on air for another two weeks while they decide what to do! pic.twitter.com/1Mko1MPO1M

— Lewis Schaffer (@LewisSchaffer) May 24, 2025

 

The potential cancellation follows uproar over remarks made by comedian Josh Howie during a segment in which he commented on a sermon by a U.S. bishop calling on Donald Trump to show compassion for LGBTQ+ youth. Referring to a statement from the bishop’s church promoting full inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals, Howie said, “I just want to say, that includes paedos, if you’re doing the full inclusion.” The line triggered immediate backlash, with over 1,200 viewer complaints and a petition signed by more than 70,000 people, organised by the Good Law Project, now submitted to Ofcom for investigation.

 

GB News defended the segment by arguing Howie had been misrepresented, noting that Headliners is a comedy show intended for satire. “It’s a comedy show. Where three comedians make jokes as we review the next day’s newspapers,” Howie explained. Still, the channel’s chief executive, Angelos Frangopoulos, claimed the network was being targeted. He said GB News had been “subjected to a coordinated political campaign by far-Left pressure groups.”

 

Since its 2021 debut, Headliners has become one of GB News’s longest-running shows, airing nightly at 11 p.m. The programme features comedians offering humorous commentary on the next day’s newspaper headlines. Its roster leans conservative, reflecting the channel’s broader ideological stance. Host Leo Kearse describes himself as “one of the UK’s few openly Right-wing comedians,” and his online content frequently criticises what he calls “the wrath of woke mobs.”

 

The recent controversy adds to a mounting list of disputes between GB News and the UK’s media regulator. The network has been subject to several Ofcom investigations as it attempts to emulate U.S.-style political panel formats. Earlier this year, GB News won a significant High Court victory over Ofcom, overturning a ruling that found it had breached impartiality standards by airing shows hosted by then-Tory MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg.

 

The channel is also currently fighting a £100,000 fine for a 2024 broadcast featuring then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which Ofcom alleged provided Sunak with an “uncontested platform to promote the policies and performance of his government.”

 

As the pressure mounts and the future of Headliners hangs in the balance, GB News finds itself at a crossroads: whether to stand by a controversial show in the name of free speech and satire or to yield to public and regulatory demands amid growing scrutiny.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-05-28

 

 

[JonnyF]

Comedy? Satire? 

 

Tut Tut. Whatever next. There really is no place for such things in the Peoples Republic of Great Britain in 2025.

 

Or at least, Thzere Vill be consequences.

 

 

  

[Chomper Higgot]

13 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Comedy? Satire? 

 

Tut Tut. Whatever next. There really is no place for such things in the Peoples Republic of Great Britain in 2025.

 

Or at least, Thzere Vill be consequences.

 

 

  

GB News is a private company, it seems they’ve produced a comedy show that’s not funny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

25 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

GB News is a private company, it seems they’ve produced a comedy show that’s not funny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't believe Ofcom investigate how funny a show is. 

[GanDoonToonPet]

This show was a breath of fresh air when it first came along. Some real insight, with a dose of humour, given by the likes of Simon Evans, Nick Dixon, Leo Kearse, Josh Howie, Cressida Wetton and many more.

 

Lots of controversial Jewish comedians on there which is probably the main reason the libs hate it.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

I don't believe Ofcom investigate how funny a show is. 

No but they do investigate public complaints.

 

It seems a the show’s audience didn’t find it funny.

[blazes]

70,000 people signing a petition to support that segment of society? 

Well organized lot, to be sure...

[Chomper Higgot]

6 minutes ago, blazes said:

70,000 people signing a petition to support that segment of society? 

Well organized lot, to be sure...

You have a problem with people organizing together?

[James105]

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No but they do investigate public complaints.

 

It seems a the show’s audience didn’t find it funny.

 

I doubt any of the signers of that petition have ever seen the show so they are not "the audience".   Do you watch things you don't like on a regular basis so that you can complain and sign petitions about it?   Is that common behaviour amongst leftists to purposely watch things not aimed at them so they can get mad and complain about it?  I can understand if it is the BBC that they are forced to pay for but a privately funded channel seems a bit odd.  

[Thingamabob]

My solution, for what it is worth, would be to retire Josh Howie but otherwise keep the show as it is. 

[RayC]

54 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

I doubt any of the signers of that petition have ever seen the show so they are not "the audience". 

 

Then it shouldn't take OFCOM very long to dismiss the complaints if that is the case.

 

"(GB News) is reportedly considering axing the show after receiving thousands of complaints, including a formal petition and an ongoing Ofcom investigation". 

 

There is no suggestion that GB News are being forced to stop making the programme. They are making a business decision. This is a non-story.

[James105]

3 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

Then it shouldn't take OFCOM very long to dismiss the complaints if that is the case.

 

"(GB News) is reportedly considering axing the show after receiving thousands of complaints, including a formal petition and an ongoing Ofcom investigation". 

 

There is no suggestion that GB News are being forced to stop making the programme. They are making a business decision. This is a non-story.

 

I never said it was.  I was responding to someone who said "It seems a the show’s audience didn’t find it funny." which I found strange because why would someone watch a show that they didn't find funny?  No-one is forced Clockwork Orange style to have their eyelids pinned open to suffer through something they don't like (I assume people own TVs like the one I have that offer other channels) and apparently 70,000 signed a petition to try to get a show cancelled as someone said something as a joke they didn't find funny.   This seems to be quite an odd behaviour of leftists that they feel the need to police shows that they don't even watch.   Very odd.    

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, James105 said:

 

I doubt any of the signers of that petition have ever seen the show so they are not "the audience".   Do you watch things you don't like on a regular basis so that you can complain and sign petitions about it?   Is that common behaviour amongst leftists to purposely watch things not aimed at them so they can get mad and complain about it?  I can understand if it is the BBC that they are forced to pay for but a privately funded channel seems a bit odd.  

Couldn't agree more and considering the figures going up it adds plenty of weight to your opinion.

 

Weekday Headliners, GB News' unique take on the day’s news, saw the audience grow 31 per cent quarter-on-quarter. The Saturday edition rose 23 per cent quarter-on-quarter.

https://www.gbnews.com/news/gb-news-radio-record-breaking-growth-rajar-ratings

[RayC]

2 minutes ago, James105 said:

5 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

I never said it was.  I was responding to someone who said "It seems a the show’s audience didn’t find it funny." which I found strange because why would someone watch a show that they didn't find funny?  No-one is forced Clockwork Orange style to have their eyelids pinned open to suffer through something they don't like (I assume people own TVs like the one I have that offer other channels) and apparently 70,000 signed a petition to try to get a show cancelled as someone said something as a joke they didn't find funny.   This seems to be quite an odd behaviour of leftists that they feel the need to police shows that they don't even watch.   Very odd.    

 

 

You didn't. That particular comment wasn't directed at you specifically. It was a general observation. However, I understand why you might think that it was directed at you. Apologies.

 

Nevertheless, my point stands: This is a non-story. GB News are considering the future of one of their programmes ... And? It's no surprise that an organisation should review the performance of one of its' products.

 

Yes, it would be a strange behaviour to complain about a TV programme which the person has not seen. However, it is an assumption that is the case. In any event, why assume that such behaviour is limited to lefties? It's no less (or more) likely that right-wingers who don't watch HIGNFY might complain about it.

[James105]

50 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

You didn't. That particular comment wasn't directed at you specifically. It was a general observation. However, I understand why you might think that it was directed at you. Apologies.

 

Nevertheless, my point stands: This is a non-story. GB News are considering the future of one of their programmes ... And? It's no surprise that an organisation should review the performance of one of its' products.

 

Yes, it would be a strange behaviour to complain about a TV programme which the person has not seen. However, it is an assumption that is the case. In any event, why assume that such behaviour is limited to lefties? It's no less (or more) likely that right-wingers who don't watch HIGNFY might complain about it.

 

I would suggest Have I got news for you is different as it offers politically biased views on a channel that pretends it is impartial so I would not object to someone complaining about something that a) they are forced to pay for and b) is breaking their impartiality charter with impunity.   

 

Sky News as an equivalent example is as left wing biased as they come (hence they are going bankrupt and confirming the saying 'go woke go broke') but they are a private channel (same as GB news) so they can do what they want.  If you have an equivalence with Sky News or another private channel where you can show that 70,000 right wing folks signed a petition to get it cancelled then you would have a point.   My feeling is that right wing folks have better things to do than watch TV shows they know that they are not going to like for the sole purpose of policing with the goal of preventing others from watching it.   

[RayC]

52 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

I would suggest Have I got news for you is different as it offers politically biased views on a channel that pretends it is impartial so I would not object to someone complaining about something that a) they are forced to pay for and b) is breaking their impartiality charter with impunity.   

 

Sky News as an equivalent example is as left wing biased as they come (hence they are going bankrupt and confirming the saying 'go woke go broke') but they are a private channel (same as GB news) so they can do what they want.  If you have an equivalence with Sky News or another private channel where you can show that 70,000 right wing folks signed a petition to get it cancelled then you would have a point.   My feeling is that right wing folks have better things to do than watch TV shows they know that they are not going to like for the sole purpose of policing with the goal of preventing others from watching it.   

 

Whether it is a commercial or public channel is surely irrelevant to the point about those complaining about programmes which they themselves have not seen.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, James105 said:

 

I would suggest Have I got news for you is different as it offers politically biased views on a channel that pretends it is impartial so I would not object to someone complaining about something that a) they are forced to pay for and b) is breaking their impartiality charter with impunity.   

 

Sky News as an equivalent example is as left wing biased as they come (hence they are going bankrupt and confirming the saying 'go woke go broke') but they are a private channel (same as GB news) so they can do what they want.  If you have an equivalence with Sky News or another private channel where you can show that 70,000 right wing folks signed a petition to get it cancelled then you would have a point.   My feeling is that right wing folks have better things to do than watch TV shows they know that they are not going to like for the sole purpose of policing with the goal of preventing others from watching it.   

The fact that all the best humour is leftwing doesn’t mean there’s bias.

 

It’s just that the rightwing humour is dominated by the reactionary stuff nobody wants to listen to.

 

This issue of GB choosing to pull the plug on a ‘comedy show’ is simply market forces at play, the ‘power of the market’ being yet another cornerstone of rightwing ideology to be abandoned when it goes against the rightwing need to be offensive on TV.

[James105]

32 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The fact that all the best humour is leftwing doesn’t mean there’s bias.

 

It’s just that the rightwing humour is dominated by the reactionary stuff nobody wants to listen to.

 

This issue of GB choosing to pull the plug on a ‘comedy show’ is simply market forces at play, the ‘power of the market’ being yet another cornerstone of rightwing ideology to be abandoned when it goes against the rightwing need to be offensive on TV.

 

Ok I am curious.  Who do you think is a funny left wing comedian?   Frankie Boyle who made fun of Katie Price's disabled son?  Jo Brand who thought it would be funny if someone threw acid in a politicians face?  

 

Which right wing comedy shows have you watched recently to form the opinion that "rightwing humour is dominated by the reactionary stuff nobody wants to listen to"?

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The fact that all the best humour is leftwing doesn’t mean there’s bias.

 

 

   Who are those funny left wing comedians ?

I prefer comedians who keep politics out of their material .

Lefties quickly get rather tiresome keep going on about the same thing all the time  and staying "right-on" 

[Chomper Higgot]

53 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

Ok I am curious.  Who do you think is a funny left wing comedian?   Frankie Boyle who made fun of Katie Price's disabled son?  Jo Brand who thought it would be funny if someone threw acid in a politicians face?  

 

Which right wing comedy shows have you watched recently to form the opinion that "rightwing humour is dominated by the reactionary stuff nobody wants to listen to"?

My current favorite is Trae Crowder (AKA Liberal Redneck).

I fell asleep the last time I heard a right-winger trying to be funny.

 

The subject OP gives an excellent example of the reactionary stuff nobody wants to listen to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[josephbloggs]

21 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

My current favorite is Trae Crowder (AKA Liberal Redneck).

I fell asleep the last time I heard a right-winger trying to be funny.

 

The subject OP gives an excellent example of the reactionary stuff nobody wants to listen to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can't get better than Stewart Lee for me. Highly intellectual, extremely funny, liberal left wing political sattire.

[Baht Simpson]

"On 22 January 2025, during a GB News comedy show, Howie made a joke conflating the church and the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ with paedophilia, alluding to the LGBTQ grooming conspiracy theory widely regarded as homophobic. Following this incident, Good Law Project began a campaign asking broadcasting regulatory body OFCOM to take action against GBN."

 

Source: Wikipedia

[Bkk Brian]

39 minutes ago, Baht Simpson said:

"On 22 January 2025, during a GB News comedy show, Howie made a joke conflating the church and the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ with paedophilia, alluding to the LGBTQ grooming conspiracy theory widely regarded as homophobic. Following this incident, Good Law Project began a campaign asking broadcasting regulatory body OFCOM to take action against GBN."

 

Source: Wikipedia

The same group who are challenging the Supreme Court decision on Gender classification. 

https://goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/supreme-court-human-rights-for-trans-people/

 

Says it all

[simon43]

Bunch of snowflake wokies.... I remember the days when TV presenters could make 'real' jokes about n*ggers, p*kis, w*ps and so on.  Comedy ain't funny anymore.. 🙂

[josephbloggs]

29 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Bunch of snowflake wokies.... I remember the days when TV presenters could make 'real' jokes about n*ggers, p*kis, w*ps and so on.  Comedy ain't funny anymore.. 🙂

And they weren't funny either.

[retayl]

15 hours ago, simon43 said:

Bunch of snowflake wokies.... I remember the days when TV presenters could make 'real' jokes about n*ggers, p*kis, w*ps and so on.  Comedy ain't funny anymore.. 🙂

Christ on a bike, you’ll be claiming Jim Davidson is funny next!

[merck]

Don't forget Bernard Manning!

[James105]

4 hours ago, retayl said:

Christ on a bike, you’ll be claiming Jim Davidson is funny next!

 

He was quite funny in his prime.  I was in the forces and he was one of the few (possibly only) comedians that would regularly tour overseas bases to support the troops on operations, put on a show and I don't think he made any money from doing these.  I met him once on a deployment and he seemed quite a decent bloke.   He is just a guy that told jokes with the purpose of trying to make people laugh, and those jokes were of their time before people became so pathetically weak and sensitive to well, just about everything really.