Joe Lycett ‘shreds’ £10k in protest at Beckham’s £10m deal with Qatar

JOE Lycett ‘shredded’ £10k in protest at David Beckham’s £10m deal with Qatar

The comedian, 34, put his money where his mouth is by destroying the currency after Beckham refused to step down from his role as World Cup ambassador.

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In a clip posted to his Twitter page, Lycett tossed two large wads of £5 notes into a wood chipper, leaving a shredded wad of money on the ground before walking away.

The openly pansexual Lycett gave England legend Beckham, 47, an ultimatum last Sunday, telling the star, whom he described as a “gay icon”: “Qatar has been voted one of the worst places in the world for gay people.

“If you end your relationship with Qatar I will donate this £10,000 from my own money.

“However, if you don’t do that, I’m going to throw that money in a shredder next Sunday noon just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup.”

Beckham made his first public appearance at the controversial tournament on Saturday ahead of yesterday’s opening ceremony and game one.

On Saturday, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended Qatar’s human rights record in a bizarre tirade, with the Swiss accusing Western nations of “hypocrisy” and “racism”.

Some online members slammed the comedian – saying he should have donated the money to charity.

Former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “The £10,000 shredding will bring Joe Lycett far more than it costs him and it’s actually a paid publicity stunt that has worked.”

A former fan said the stunt changed his view of the comic, saying on Twitter: “I liked Joe Lycett but he just showed what a privileged life he leads, that he can afford to shred £10,000 .”

But actor Chris Addison defended the comic, calling Lycett “a force for good.”