The One Show hit by over 100 complaints after Downton star Dan Stevens’ anti-Boris Johnson rant – but BBC stands by star

THE One Show has been hit by over 100 complaints after Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens' anti-Boris Johnson rant - but the BBC have decided to stand by the actor.

Dan, 39, appeared on the the evening programme earlier this month alongside alongside Derry Girls' Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Jamie-Lee O'Donnell.

The actor, who was on speaking to presenters Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas about his TV series Gaslit, began by taking aim at the Prime Minister.

As he explained what his new show was about, Dan said: “What you’ve got is a criminal for a leader who is wrapped in a messy war, embroiled in a stupid scandal and surrounded by ambitious idiots and really should resign."

Dan went on to add: “No, I’m sorry that’s the intro to Boris Johnson.”

It came after it was revealed that the PM was fined £50 for attending a Downing Street party for his birthday, while the rest of the UK was under strict Covid-19 restrictions in lockdown.

102 viewers went on to complain about Dan's choice of words.

However, the UK’s public broadcaster stated that the comments were "taken in jest" and the hosts "moved the conversation on" to make sure it wasn't about the PM.

The BBC's official website states: "The One Show is a live topical entertainment programme where the hosts are joined by a variety of guests to discuss a broad range of subjects.

"Actor Dan Stevens was a guest on Wednesday 13 April and made comments about Boris Johnson in response to a question from the hosts about his new TV project before going on to talk about the series.

"These comments were taken in jest and the hosts moved the conversation on to the focus of the interview."

For years the BBC has been accused by critics of having a 'leftie bias'.

In 2019 Boris himself branded it the 'Brexit Bashing Corporation' over its coverage of the political issue.

Dan is best known for playing Matthew Crawley in the ITV's Downton Abbey between 2010 and 2012.

His alter-ego was killed off in a car crash.