John Cleese's bumbling appearance on The One Show has thrust the BBC programme into the headlines this week, prompting a look back at the show's most cringe-inducing moments. The Monty Python star, aged 86, managed to ask the show hosts their names and name-check controversial director Roman Polanski within his first few minutes in the studio.
Cleese's awkward start on The One Show
Hosts Lauren Laverne and Roman Kemp were forced to tell Cleese exactly who they are, since he didn't seem to know. Cleese then replied: 'I've only known one Roman, Roman Polanski.' This went down like a lead balloon in the studio and Kemp appeared unsure what to do with his face. The 86-year-old then asked Kemp what his co-host, sitting right next to him, was called. The radio presenter replied, stating her name was Lauren, which she had to repeat because Cleese didn't catch it the first time.
Gary Barlow walks out mid-show
In 2017, Gary Barlow surprised his Take That bandmates, as well as guest hosts Richard Osman and Angela Scanlon, when he just upped and left during the programme. While chatting about transitioning to a three-piece outfit with Howard Donald and Mark Owen, Barlow suddenly said: 'Can I leave you guys to it? I don't feel too well. Excuse me.' With the cameras still rolling, the presenters tried to ask if he was alright, but Barlow made haste and left the studio. He later explained all in a tweet, writing: 'Thank you all for the messages. I'm absolutely fine. We had a very hot dressing room and I thought I was going to faint on live TV!'
Matt Baker's question to David Cameron
In 2011, Matt Baker was wrapping up an interview with David Cameron when he threw a curveball. The former One Show staple earnestly asked: 'Just very quickly – how on earth do you sleep at night?' Alex Jones next to him gasped. It remains unclear whether this was intended as a dig at the former Tory Prime Minister or not. After the briefest pause, Cameron decided to take the question at face value and said: 'I've always managed to sleep okay. If you work hard during the day and get your stuff done, try and put it behind you. At the end of the day, if you're exhausted you'll make rotten decisions.'
Mary J Blige's mother is alive
When Mary J Blige sat down for a chat on the show in 2019, Matt Baker and Alex Jones asked who she had most looked up to, to which Blige cited her mother. Baker then asked: 'How much of your success did she get to see?' 'All of it. She's here,' replied a very confused-looking Blige. 'No, she's living.' Cue awkward laughter.
Dan Stevens calls out Boris Johnson
In 2022, Dan Stevens decided to pull a fast one on The One Show hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas. While promoting his show Gaslight, a political thriller about the Watergate scandal, he decided to touch on the politics of the time. When called on to describe Gaslight, he said: 'What you've got is a criminal for a leader who is wrapped in a messy war, embroiled in a stupid scandal and surrounded by ambitious idiots and really should resign…' Then, after mock bafflement at his own mix-up, he added: 'No, I'm sorry that's the intro to Boris Johnson.' There were audible gasps from the crew, Jenas hid his head behind the sofa and Jones uttered a wry laugh.
Emergency wildfire alerts interrupt anniversary show
Just a week ago, Brits received emergency wildfire alerts, coincidentally sent at the same time as The One Show's big 20th anniversary celebrations. Minutes into a special extended hour-long episode, Jones and Kemp found themselves competing to be heard over the emergency alarm. 'You couldn't make that up could you,' Jones said. 'Is that a fire alarm?' Kemp then asked somebody off-camera and the pair pressed on until it eventually stopped.
