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Hannah Waddingham got apology from photographer after leg comment

The Ted Lasso star called out a photographer over a sexist red carpet comment at the Olivier Awards and says she is now 'so ready to move on'.

British actress and singer Hannah Waddingham poses on the green carpet upon arrival to attend The Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in central London on April 14, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Hannah Waddingham says she received an apology over the Olivier Awards red carpet incident. (AFP via Getty Images) (HENRY NICHOLLS via Getty Images)

What did you miss?

Hannah Waddingham has revealed she got a written apology from the photographer who asked her to "show some leg" on the Olivier Awards red carpet.

The stage and screen star gave a sharp reply to a photographer who asked her to "show some leg" as she arrived to host the theatre awards ceremony on Sunday and has been praised for calling out the sexist comment.

The Ted Lasso star has said she is ready to draw a line under her Olivier Awards red carpet controversy.

What, how and why?

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Hannah Waddingham attends The Olivier Awards 2024 at The Royal Albert Hall on April 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Hannah Waddingham was left unimpressed by comments from a photographer. (Getty Images) (Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)

In an appearance on The One Show on Wednesday, Waddingham said she did not want the incident to overshadow what was otherwise a lovely evening.

One Show host Alex Jones congratulated her on the opening number that she sang at the ceremony and said: "Many people had already applauded you on the red carpet after your comment to the paparazzi. How are you, Hannah, at the other end of that?"

Waddingham replied: "Thank you, mate, because that's a very nice thing to say actually and I know we know each other of old. I'm good, I called out what needed to be absolutely necessary to call out and I've received a written apology and now I'm so ready to move on."

She continued: "I'm not having it overshadow what was the most glorious, joyful, positive night. I don't usually say this, but I was really flipping proud of that night. It did exactly what we wanted it to, the whole place erupted like a bunch of lunatics, so that's what the takeaway should be."

Waddingham had arrived on the Oliviers red carpet in a lilac sequinned gown and posed for photos before one photographer appeared to ask her to "show some leg".

In footage shared on X, she is heard snapping back: "Oh my god, you’d never say that to a man, my friend. Don’t be a d***, otherwise I’ll move off. Don’t say, ‘Show me leg.’ No."

She then walked away shaking her head as the crowd cheered at her response.

What have other celebrities said about Hannah Waddingham's comments?

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Hannah Waddingham performing on stage during The Olivier Awards 2024 at The Royal Albert Hall on April 14, 2024 in London, England.  (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images For SOLT)
The star hosted the Olivier Awards and sang the opening number. (Getty Images For SOLT) (Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)

Unsurprisingly, Waddingham's comments on Sunday prompted a number of debates on TV shows about sexism towards female celebrities.

Hosting a debate on Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid said: "Of course, you know what they want. They want a photograph. But what you don't want is for them to be shouting at you something like, show us your leg or give us the back shot.

"I think it's Hannah saying, I can look however I want. I'm going to go out and I'm going to show my shoulders. And at one point, she is showing her leg on the red carpet. You, as the photographers, have no right to tell me what to do. And when you say show us some leg, I find that you're trying to manipulate me. I feel objectified."

Speaking on This Morning, Ashley James said: "I do think the paparazzi certainly shouldn't have said it and I think Hannah is brilliant the way she shut that down. But I do think it's a wider issue with the media in general and how they objectify women."

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

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