Awkward moment on The Last Leg as ‘war-mongering’ joke triggers row with Penny Mordaunt

Subscribe to Newsletter

Awkward moment on The Last Leg as ‘war-mongering’ joke triggers row with Penny Mordaunt

08.03.2026 8 March 2026
2163
2 min.
8 connections
1 quote

Comedy Clash Erupts

Channel 4’s late-night comedy show The Last Leg took an unexpectedly tense turn on Friday night when comedian Vittorio Angelone clashed with former Conservative politician Penny Mordaunt during a live studio segment.

Mordaunt, 53, appeared on the programme alongside hosts Adam Hills, Alex Brooker, and Josh Widdicombe, with fellow comedian Jamali Maddix also joining the panel. What began as a satirical introduction from Belfast-born Angelone quickly escalated into a pointed critique of Mordaunt’s record and public statements.

Angelone referenced her support for the defence sector, including social media posts linked to the World Defence Show in Saudi Arabia, before accusing the former cabinet minister of “war mongering.” The remark landed awkwardly in the studio, with the hosts visibly unsure how far the exchange would go.

Mordaunt attempted to respond but the conversation grew more tense when she addressed the comedian as “sweetheart,” a comment Angelone described as condescending. As the back-and-forth continued, Brooker reacted by pulling his sweater over his face in mock embarrassment while the discussion spiralled.

Defending her stance, Mordaunt pointed to the role of the armed forces and those who protect democratic freedoms, arguing their service allows comedians to freely criticise the government. Angelone pushed back, referencing his Northern Irish background in response.

With the discussion threatening to derail the show, Hills stepped in to move the programme along, joking: “We are so short for time. And possibly a fight’s going to break out.”

The moment quickly drew attention on X, where viewers debated whether Angelone’s remarks were sharp political satire or unnecessarily hostile. Maddix, known for his own confrontational comedy style and appearances on Taskmaster, appeared amused as the exchange unfolded.

The Last Leg, created by Hills, Brooker and Widdicombe during Channel 4’s 2012 Paralympic Games coverage, has built a reputation for mixing topical comedy with political guests — sometimes with unpredictable results.

The show airs Fridays at 10pm on Channel 4 and is also available on the broadcaster’s streaming platform.

WIDDICOMBE Joshua

English comedian and presenter
#63
HILLS Adam

Australian comedian
#89
BROOKER Alexander

English journalist
#92
MORDAUNT Penelope

Minister of State for Trade Policy
#750
ANGELONE Vittorio

Irish comedian
#796
MADDIX Jamali

English comedian
#798
X (Twitter)

#5
Channel 4

#12

Tags:

Section: culture

<!-- advertisement 10-->
<div class="mobileShow">
<script type="text/javascript">
	atOptions = {
		'key' : 'fb295e992fc854c036d42ed81b5ef435',
		'format' : 'iframe',
		'height' : 250,
		'width' : 300,
		'params' : {}
	};
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//www.highperformanceformat.com/fb295e992fc854c036d42ed81b5ef435/invoke.js"></script>
</div>
<div class="mobileHide">
<script type="text/javascript">
	atOptions = {
		'key' : '8875b602880c921b683acb0fb6f04f20',
		'format' : 'iframe',
		'height' : 90,
		'width' : 728,
		'params' : {}
	};
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//www.highperformanceformat.com/8875b602880c921b683acb0fb6f04f20/invoke.js"></script>
</div>

10 July 2026

politics

Ann Widdecombe Dies Aged 78 as Tributes Pour In

Widdecombe’s Unlikely Second Act Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister who became a...

21 June 2026

culture

Jennifer Aniston and Friends Castmates Honor ‘Father Figure’ James Burrows

Friends Mourn James Burrows James Burrows, the acclaimed sitcom director whose work influenced gene...

19 June 2026

culture

BBC Axes Ashley Cain Show After Admitting Vetting Process ‘Clearly Failed’

BBC Pulls Cain Documentary Ashley Cain’s BBC documentary series has been dropped from the sch...

31 May 2026

culture

Shirley Ballas Sparks BBC Concern After Paid Strictly-Style Cruise Appearance

Strictly Glamour At Sea Shirley Ballas may come under fresh scrutiny at the BBC after taking part i...

10 May 2026

culture

Freddie Starr died penniless before stranger paid for beloved ITV star’s funeral

Freddie Starr’s Final Homecoming Freddie Starr was repatriated to Britain for his burial afte...

<!-- advertisement 11-->
<div class="mobileShow">
<script type="text/javascript">
	atOptions = {
		'key' : 'fb295e992fc854c036d42ed81b5ef435',
		'format' : 'iframe',
		'height' : 250,
		'width' : 300,
		'params' : {}
	};
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//www.highperformanceformat.com/fb295e992fc854c036d42ed81b5ef435/invoke.js"></script>
</div>
<div class="mobileHide">
<script type="text/javascript">
	atOptions = {
		'key' : '8875b602880c921b683acb0fb6f04f20',
		'format' : 'iframe',
		'height' : 90,
		'width' : 728,
		'params' : {}
	};
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//www.highperformanceformat.com/8875b602880c921b683acb0fb6f04f20/invoke.js"></script>
</div>

22 July 2026

culture

Chantelle Houghton Reveals She Was ‘Slowly Killing Herself’ During Eating Disorder Battle

Inside Chantelle’s Eating Battle Chantelle Houghton has revealed that severe disordered eating...

20 July 2026

politics

BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay Forced to Stop Interview After Unexpected Interruption

Jon Kay Swept Away Jon Kay was forced to bring a BBC Breakfast interview to an early close after an ...

16 July 2026

culture

Claudia Winkleman Quits BBC Chat Show After One Series and Reveals Why

Claudia Winkleman Drops BBC One Chat Show Following Its First Run Claudia Winkleman will not make an...

15 July 2026

culture

Call the Midwife Star Helen George Reveals Boyfriend Died After Leukaemia Diagnosis

Helen George Opens Up About the Sudden Death of Former Partner Helen George has spoken publicly abou...

14 July 2026

culture

Andy Serkis Addresses Lord of the Rings Casting Diversity Criticism

Gollum Casting Debate Grows Andy Serkis has addressed criticism surrounding representation in The Lo...

13 July 2026

politics

Jimmy Kimmel Trolls Mitch McConnell’s Proof-of-Life Photo During Vacation

Kimmel Pokes Fun at McConnell Jimmy Kimmel made a brief return to social media during his summer hia...

<!-- advertisement 12-->
<div class="mobileShow">
<script type="text/javascript">
	atOptions = {
		'key' : 'fb295e992fc854c036d42ed81b5ef435',
		'format' : 'iframe',
		'height' : 250,
		'width' : 300,
		'params' : {}
	};
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//www.highperformanceformat.com/fb295e992fc854c036d42ed81b5ef435/invoke.js"></script>
</div>
<div class="mobileHide">
<script type="text/javascript">
	atOptions = {
		'key' : '8875b602880c921b683acb0fb6f04f20',
		'format' : 'iframe',
		'height' : 90,
		'width' : 728,
		'params' : {}
	};
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//www.highperformanceformat.com/8875b602880c921b683acb0fb6f04f20/invoke.js"></script>
</div>