John Cleese asks who Roman Kemp and Lauren Laverne are in toe-curling TV moment

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John Cleese made a bumbling appearance on The One Show this week, in which he asked the hosts their names and name-checked controversial director Roman Polanski. 

It was a characteristically eclectic mix of guests on the BBC One show on Tuesday evening, including MasterChef’s Grace Dent and Love Island alum Shakira Khan. 

But on the eminently prestigious end of the studio sofa was Monty Python legend Cleese, looking bemused by the set-up as hosts Lauren Laverne and Roman Kemp welcomed everyone.

Within the opening moments, Cleese kept clapping when everyone else in the studio had stopped and then he asked the hosts their names.

The Oscar-winning director’s legacy has been overshadowed by his guilty plea to unlawful sex with a minor, after which he fled the US. He has never returned there or to countries likely to extradite him.

Given that, Cleese’s comment went down like a lead balloon in the studio. 

Kemp somewhat struggled to keep The One Show-mandated grin on his face, replying: ‘He’s another famous Roman, indeed.’

‘Another famous Roman,’ said Cleese, then pointing to Laverne sitting next to him and asking: ‘And your friend, what’s her name?’

The radio presenter replied, stating her name was Lauren, which she had to repeat because Cleese didn’t catch it the first time.

‘That’s a nice name too,’ said Cleese, turning to his nonplussed-looking fellow sofa-sitters.

‘Very good. Well I’m very happy to be on the show,’ Cleese said. Kemp replied: ‘We’re very grateful to have you,’ and the whole thing was swiftly moved past so they could get on to chatting Monty Python.

Kemp has been a co-presenter on The One Show since 2022, while Laverne joined the following year. She has been a prominent radio presenter for decades, including hosting the Radio 4 staple Desert Island Discs.

A video of the moment was shared on X and labelled ‘awkward chatter’, where it has been viewed 500,000 times at the time of publication, with many stating that the BBC appearance somewhat explains his activity on the social media platform.

Cleese has used his X account to post misleading and sometimes fabricated claims, some of which include AI-generated content, expressing concerns over free speech and political correctness. In recent weeks, he has backed Restore leader Rupert Lowe, who was suspended from Reform over bullying accusations.

Replying to The One Show clip on X, @thechildoftime wrote: ‘This certainly explains his posts on here… If his family cared, they would delete his social media accounts.’

@Michael_LFC78 echoed that sentiment, describing it as ‘worrying’, adding: ‘Should he be on TV in this state of mind!?’

However, others online believed Cleese was doing a bit in pretending not to know the names of the hosts.

The One Show airs on BBC One weekdays at 7pm.

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