JOE Lycett has “shredded” £10,000 in protest of David Beckham’s £10 million deal with Qatar.
The comedian, 34, put his money where his mouth is by destroying the currency after Beckham refused to pull out of his World Cup ambassador role.
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In a clip posted to his Twitter page, Lycett threw two large bundles of £5 notes into a woodchipper, leaving a shredded bundle of money on the floor before walking away.
Openly pansexual Lycett gave England legend Beckham, 47, an ultimatum last Sunday, telling the star, who he called a “gay icon”: “Qatar was voted one of the worst places in the world to be gay.
“If you end your relationship with Qatar, I’ll donate this £10,000 of my own money.
“However if you do not, at midday next Sunday I will throw this money into a shredder, 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 first match.
On Saturday FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended Qatar’s human rights record in a bizarre rant, with the Swiss accusing Western nations of “hypocrisy” and “racism”.
Some online slammed the comedian – and said he should have donated the money to charity.
Former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Shredding £10k will earn Joe Lycett far more than it will cost him and is in effect a paid-for publicity stunt which has worked.”
One former fan said the stunt had changed his view of the comic, saying on Twitter: “I liked Joe Lycett but he’s just shown what a privileged life he lives that he can afford to shred £10,000.”
But actor Chris Addison defended the comic, labelling Lycett: “A force for good”.
