Joe Lycett divides fans as he ‘shreds 10,000 pounds’: ‘If you’re uncomfortable, that’s the point’:

Joe Lycett’s latest stunt has divided fans after he appeared to blast £10,000 in protest at David Beckham’s involvement in the 2022 World Cup.

On Sunday, Lycett followed through on his promise to nix the money (£1,000 for every £1million of Beckham’s alleged deal) if the footballer doesn’t end his contract in protest at Qatar’s stance on LGBT+ issues.

Had he done so, Lycett had said he would have donated the money to charities that support gay people in football, while keeping Beckham’s status as a “gay icon” intact. It is illegal to be gay in Qatar.

In the days leading up to the stunt, many had speculated whether or not Lycett would pull off the stunt, with the comic sharing an email earlier in the week telling Beckham’s publicist that he “really didn’t want to shred 10 grand.” .

However, Lycett appeared on Sunday’s livestream wearing a tulle jacket in the colors of the Pride Progress flag to quietly crush the money. He then curtsied in front of the camera and walked away.

The stunt left fans divided. Some said that while Lycett’s goals were noble, the money would have been better spent on charity.

“I know the message is so important but there are so many LGBT charities that this money would have made a huge difference to,” one commenter wrote.

Another tweet read: “Wish you had given the money to food banks or homeless charities. I could NEVER waste money if it could do some good for those who don’t have anything.”

“I understand you’re saying something, but all I can think of is the people who are struggling financially,” commented another.

An Instagram commenter wrote that the money could have gone to a plaque instead.

However, others argued that Lycett’s stunt was intended to be disturbing, as was the issue.

One fan saw both sides and said: “I get the Joe Lycett thing. It’s uncomfortable. All you can think about is that the money should be used wisely. But that’s the point. Protests don’t work without discomfort. And Beckham taking millions he doesn’t need is the bigger problem here.”

One tweet read: “Anyone who thinks Joe Lycett has gone too far with BenderslikeBeckham, please understand that the point of a protest is to do something shocking and controversial. If you don’t like the way someone protests, take away the need to protest.”

“If you’re uncomfortable with Joe Lycett shredding £10,000, that’s the point,” wrote another commenter. “It’s a statement of inconvenience and money; about Qatar’s oppression of gay people and David Beckham who benefits from it. It’s performance art. It’s supposed to give you a feeling.”

“Why does @joelycett get more heartache than Beckham for shredding that money,” one person said, claiming Beckham’s deal violated “everything he claims to believe in.”

“This has raised awareness of how little people still value LGBTQ life. It’s raised awareness of how people who claim to be allies can be bought, and it’s raised awareness of how heinous this whole farce of a World Cup is… That’s a lot for 10,000. That was art,” read another tweet.