Comedian Katherine Ryan issued a partial apology after the BBC upheld two complaints regarding a derogatory slur made on the panel show "Have I Got News For You." The incident occurred during the November 7 episode, when Ryan referenced Victoria Beckham alongside a highly offensive term.

Ryan, 43, acknowledged the use of the slur but attempted to contextualize the remark by citing a separate instance in which Sir David Attenborough allegedly used the same word in a private email. Despite this, the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit found no justification for equating Beckham with the offensive term. The ruling stated that the comment was inappropriate and not defensible under editorial standards.

In her subsequent statement, Ryan attributed her lapse in judgment to the condition known as matrescence, a transitional phase some women experience around childbirth. At the time of filming, she was reportedly caring for a 10-day-old infant, which she said affected her mental state. Ryan described the comment as a misguided joke, noting that the audience reacted with surprise before she followed up by expressing affection for Beckham.

The comedian also reflected on the blurred boundaries between public figures and personal relationships, admitting that she sometimes forgets that celebrities are not personal acquaintances.

Following the complaints, the BBC edited the offending language out of the episode’s availability on the iPlayer streaming service.