The name Joe Lycett has been on everyone’s lips this weekend after the comedian went viral during an appearance on the BBC’s new politics show, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
Dead panning the role of a “right-wing” Tory supporter, Lycett left viewers in stitches as he joked that he thought Liz Truss gave “great clear answers” when asked for his “honest” opinion on the then Tory leadership hopeful.
Spoofing Kuenssberg on her very first show, the comedian described Truss as “the backwash of the available MP’s” after twelve years of Tory rule.
His comments have since been shared millions of times online, alongside screenshots of him wearing a brightly colored yellow overshirt.
Dressed in a grapefruit yellow fit from sustainable Manchester brand Usksees, he didn’t pull any punches as he told viewers: “I know there’s been criticism in the The Mail on Sunday today about leftie liberal wokie comedians on the BBC. I’m actually very right-wing and I loved it.
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Sharing screenshots of the interview and some of the furore Lycett’s comments caused online, local Manchester workwear brand Usksees quipped: “Our boy Joe Lycett is having a quiet day in the media today, wearing an equally quiet shirt”
Directing their followers to get the Lycett look, they added it’s “perfect for work, play and holding power to account.”
Lycett told Kuenssberg, who has just taken over the Sunday politics slot after 16 years of Andrew Marr: “I thought [Truss] was very clear, she gave great clear answers. I know exactly what she’s up to and I think she’s […] Most people watching at home are worried about their bills, they’re going to feel […] I’m not being sarcastic.
“She was very clear what she said, I think, you know exactly what’s going to happen. You’re reassured, I’m reassured. Are you reassured?”
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Image: Uskees
Image: Uskees
“I think you know that the haters will say that we’ve had 12 years of the Tories and that we’re sort of at the dregs of what they’ve got available and that Liz Truss is sort of like the backwash of the available MP’s.
“I wouldn’t say that because I’m incredibly right-wing, but some people might say that.”
“As Liz said there, she said it’d be wrong to predict the future even though loads of people have predicted that we’re going to have real issues with paying our energy bills but you know I think she’s right to just look basically say ‘well let’s not predict it and see what happens next week’, I think she did the right thing there.”
Lycett told his Twitter followers ahead of the show: “Really excited to be on this new version of Would I Lie To You.” Then, shortly after the episode ended, he quipped: “If you want to hear more of my right-wing opinions, I’m on tour.”
Happy to present @bbclaurak with a gift for her first show, something I knew she’d love – an original painting of Robert Peston in jail. pic.twitter.com/XKhfiLALT0
If you want to get the Lycett look yourself, you can check out the local unisex clothing store’s shop here.
Feature image – Usksees
News
Former Manchester City player Joey Barton found guilty of assaulting his wife
Danny Jones
Ex-footballer Joey Barton has officially been found guilty of assaulting his wife following his two-day trial in the capital this week.
Barton, who played for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and a number of other clubs, was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 25 March, following an incident back in June 2021.
The former midfielder left his wife, 37-year-old Georgia Barton (McNeil), with a bleeding nose and a bruise on her forehead following a drunken row at their home in London.
Barton is said to have grabbed and pushed her to the floor before kicking her in the head. Married in 2019, the two have four children and are thought to still be together.
The 42-year-old was still employed in professional football as the manager of Bristol Rovers at the time, but he was ultimately sacked in October 2023.
His wife called 999 at the time, telling police that he had hit her, but later retracted her statement.
Born in Huyton, Merseyside, the chief magistrate Paul Goldspring recognised that the one-time England has a history of violence.
He was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence, meaning he won’t serve time unless he commits another offence and has been ordered to pay £2,138.
Since dropping out of mainstream football, in particular, Barton has come under heavy criticism for allegations of racism, sexism and controversial right-wing politics; he even started an ‘anti-woke’ podcast called Common Sense with Joey Barton.
Back in June of last year, he was ordered to pay £35,000 in damages to settle a libel claim with presenter Jeremy Vine after a series of inflammatory comments made online.
The Radio 2 presenter sued Mr Barton earlier this year, after the former footballer wrote a series of posts suggesting Mr Vine had a sexual interest in children.
He also accused of threatening fellow former pro, Eni Aluko, after a torrent of abuse regarding her punditry online – the ex-England international even went so far as to say she no longer felt safe staying in the country.
Police appeal after man seriously injured in Northern Quarter stabbing
Daisy Jackson
Greater Manchester Police are appealing for witnesses after a stabbing in the Northern Quarter left a man seriously injured.
The incident occurred around 7.45pm on Thursday 20 March, on Tib Street near Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene and the victim, a man in his 20s, taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Thankfully his injuries aren’t believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
No arrests have yet been made and officers are now appealing for witnesses to assist with enquiries.
DI Geoffrey Machent, of the City of Manchester Division, said: “At around 7.45pm on Thursday 20 March, we were called to reports of a stabbing on Tib Street.
“A man was subsequently taken to hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening or life-changing. He remains there for treatment.
“At this time, we do not believe the incident presents any threat to the wider public or local businesses operating in the area.
“Neighbourhood officers will be deployed to provide reassurance in the locality over the coming days, including our newly formed Piccadilly Gardens team.
“We would like to appeal to the public for any information, or anyone who witnessed this incident, to please come forward.”
If anyone has information regarding this stabbing in the Northern Quarter, contact police by calling 101, or via the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Georgina Pellant -
5th September 2022 
