Bradley Walsh made a series of controversial jokes aimed at the Royal Family during Sunday night's Royal Variety Performance Show (Image: ITV)

Bradley Walsh ignored Royal Variety Performance host warning as fans left divided over jokes

The presenter was told to not address the Royal Family or make any jokes about them before he opened the show with a series of gags directed at Prince William and Kate Middleton in the audience.

by · Daily Record

Bradley Walsh received strict instructions before his Royal Variety Performance hosting gig that he chose to ignore.

The 63-year-old TV presenter fronted the annual variety show on Sunday evening which saw stars Cher, McFly, Melanie C and singer and actress Hannah Waddingham take to the stage.

As the Chase presenter took to the stage to open the event, which was filmed on November 30 at London's Royal Albert Hall, Bradley made a series of controversial jokes that divided viewers.

Bradley was warned to not address or make jokes about the royal family during the show but decided to kick things off with a series of gags, the Mirror reports.

Prince William and Kate Middleton were in attendance as they sat in the royal box with the host greeting them both as their 'royal highnesses' but seemingly struggled to get his words out.

The presenter was warned against directly addressing the royals during the gig but chose to ignore his instructions (Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

He said: "It doesn't sound right, your royal highnessesses? There's too many 'ssessess', innit? Your royal highness... your royal highnessesses?

"It should be like cactus, cactussess, cacti. Your royal highness, highnessess and highni. That's it. I've got it. Your royal highni."

Going on to directly address the Prince of Wales, Bradley also had a dig about not getting a knighthood.

He said: "I have worked for your great nan, your nan, your granddad, your dad, and now I'm working for your Sir and Madam. And I must say - ask me if I've got an MBE.

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"Nah, ain't got one. Ask me if I've got an OBE - nah, ain't got one of them. Ask me if I've got a CBE - no!"

He later barked: "If I don't get a knighthood after this there's no justice.

"They've probably run out because they give them all to people who row boats or people on telly who bake cake."

However, the host didn't stop there as he reminded them that he had entertained troops in the Falklands and was "happy to make it out alive" while pointing out others got commended for their "Victoria sponge cakes."

Viewers were left divided by Bradley's bold jokes as they took to social media to share their opinions.

One wrote: "Bradley Walsh is very unfunny and just very annoying. Opening bit was total cringe."

Another echoed: "I usually find him funny, but him banging on about not getting an OBE etc., was total cringe!"

Someone else commented: "Cringeworthy Bradley Walsh on the Royal Variety Show asking for a knighthood! Whatever was he thinking."

However, others found the presenter's comments very amusing as one said: "Bradley is great." while someone else added: "Was very funny … where’s your sense of humour gone? thank goodness we’re all different!"

Another fan remarked: "It's comedy. Satire, even. It's what he does. And he does it well."

Bradley poked fun at Prince William and Kate Middleton who were sat watching the show in the royal box (Image: Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)

Bradley is not the only host to recently face criticism for his remarks about the Royal Family after comedian Lee Mack caused a stir last year for a joke he made about Prince Philip, who died in April 2021 at the age of 99.

Addressing Prince Edward and wife Sophie, Lee joked: "I look forward to meeting you both after the show. I've been told all about Royal etiquette.

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"I don't want to make the mistake I made on my first Royal Variety Performance in 2002. Apparently when meeting the Royal Family, you should bow your head just at the neck and you never offer your hand until you've been offered it by them.

“And the number one rule which I got wrong last time was to never kiss them on the lips. Honestly, I thought Prince Philip was going to punch my lights out."

The gag was slammed for being "too cheeky" following the Duke of Edinburgh's death and given the fact the late Queen Elizabeth had only passed away a few months prior.

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