Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Sign the Big Issue petition calling for a Poverty Zero law
SIGN HERE
Social Justice

Joe Lycett says 'shredded' £10,000 in David Beckham stunt was actually donated to LGBTQ+ charities

In a "final message" to the former England captain, Lycett clarified that he did not actually shred £10,000, saying it was an empty threat designed to get people talking

Joe Lycett shreds David Beckham's Attitude magazine cover from 2002 after calling him out over his Qatar World Cup work. Image: Joe Lycett

Comedian Joe Lycett says he did not shred £10,000 in a stunt calling out David Beckham’s work for the Qatar World Cup – but donated it to LGBTQ+ charities instead.

The Birmingham comedian gave the former England captain until midday on Sunday to withdraw his role at the tournament saying if he did so he would donate £10,000 of his own money to charities supporting LGBTQ+ communities. If he didn’t, he would shred it.

After the deadline passed, Lycett tweeted a video appearing to do just that, which caused some controversy as people took issue with the shredding of money during a cost of living crisis.

But the comedian posted another video on Twitter on Monday, clarifying that he didn’t actually shred the cash.

“It’s me, that prick who shredded loads of money in a cost of living crisis!” Lycett says to Beckham in the video.

“I haven’t quite told you the truth because the truth is the money that went into the shredder was real, but the money that came out was fake. I would never destroy real money. I would never be so irresponsible.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

“In fact, the 10 grand 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 bullshit from the start.”

Lycett then went on to shred “gay icon” Beckham’s 2002 Attitude cover – the first time a Premier League footballer had appeared on the cover of a gay magazine.

Beckham is being paid a reported £140million for his role as ambassador of the Qatar World Cup.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

View all
'Dangerous' DWP needs 'deep-rooted change' to stop benefit claimants from dying, damning report finds
dwp
Benefits

'Dangerous' DWP needs 'deep-rooted change' to stop benefit claimants from dying, damning report finds

Bill Gates is giving away his £150bn fortune – and we think we know how to spend it
A Modest Proposal

Bill Gates is giving away his £150bn fortune – and we think we know how to spend it

Sam Thompson on his mammoth 260-mile challenge for Soccer Aid: 'I've got to do something'
Sam Thompson joined children aged nine to 12 to play football at a UNICEF-supported football programme supporting children in Solola, Guatemala.
Charity

Sam Thompson on his mammoth 260-mile challenge for Soccer Aid: 'I've got to do something'

Labour's poverty failure 'risks driving voters to Reform UK', warns Big Issue founder
Lord John Bird, photographed for the Big Issue in 2024.
Poverty

Labour's poverty failure 'risks driving voters to Reform UK', warns Big Issue founder

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.