Joe Lycett “shreds” £10,000 to protest David Beckham’s involvement in the World Cup

The money was fake, but the stunt was very real - with Beckham's own image shredded instead

What would The Joker look like if he dedicated his life to promoting good causes instead of fighting Batman? (Real life) comedian Joe Lycett has given us a glimpse after shredding £10,000 live on camera – in protest of David Beckham’s involvement in the controversial Qatar World Cup.

Lycett had previously posted a video ultimatum to Beckham asking him to stop supporting the tournament: offering to either donate £10,000 to charity, or shred it live on camera. Beckham never responded, so Lycett stuffed the whole lot into a wood-chipper on Twitch.

“A platform for progress” pic.twitter.com/EeMelv01nu

— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) November 20, 2022

Following up the stunt the following day with another video to confirm the money was actually fake (“I would never be that irresponsible”), Lycett then shredded Beckham’s cover of Attitude magazine instead.

“I haven’t quite told you the whole truth,” he says. “The money that went into the shredder was real, but the money that came out was fake… in fact the £10,000 had already been donated to LGBTQ+ charities before I even pressed send on the initial tweet last week. I never expected to hear from you. It was an empty threat designed to get people talking. In many ways it was like your deal with Qatar, David. Total bullsh*t from the start.”

🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/YuPYSQ2M6u

— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) November 21, 2022

In a video originally posted on Lycett’s social media channels, and on his new website benderslikebeckham.com, Lycett talked directly to Beckham: “I consider you, along with Kim Woodburn and Monty Don, to be a gay icon. You were the first premiership footballer to do shoots with gay magazines like Attitude, to speak openly about your gay fans, and you married a Spice Girl which is the gayest thing a human being can do…”.

With Beckham reportedly to be earning up to £150 million as an ambassador for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, Lycett points out the disparity – listing the country’s horrifying human rights record, and it’s reputation as one of the worst places in the world to be gay.

“Homosexuality is illegal, punishable by imprisonment, and if you’re Muslim, possibly even death,” says Lycett. “If you end your relationship with Qatar I will donate ten grand of my own money to charities that support queer people in football. However, if you do not, I will throw the money into a shredder at midday next Sunday, just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it right here. Not just the money, but also your status as a gay icon will be shredded.”