Comedian Vittorio Angelone apologises over rape remark about Rebecca Goodwin

Belfast comedian Vittorio Angelone has apologised after a remark about rape involving content creator Rebecca Goodwin resurfaced on social media, prompting criticism from rape crisis organisations and Goodwin herself. [1]

Angelone made the remark during a “roast” episode of the Have a Word podcast, recorded in 2025 and published behind a paywall in December that year. Addressing fellow comedian Freddy Quinne, he asked: “if you're here, who's raping Rebecca Goodwin?” Goodwin was not part of the episode. [1]

Goodwin had reported a rape to police in July 2025 and spoken publicly about being sexually assaulted. She said she only became aware of the remark when clips appeared on social media in recent days. She criticised the use of her name as the punchline to what she called a malicious joke, and said she did not accept apologies from Angelone and others because they came a year later and no one had supported her in the room at the time. [1]

Angelone said on Instagram that he had let his “need for validation supersede my own standards and morals”. He called his behaviour “completely pathetic” and said he was ashamed. He said he had contacted Goodwin and apologised directly. [1]

Rape Crisis Northern Ireland said the remarks contributed to a culture in which rape and sexual violence are trivialised. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre chief executive Rachel Morrogh said treating rape as a punchline could hurt survivors and reinforce attitudes that discourage people from coming forward. [1]

The comments remain in the paywalled podcast episode, according to the BBC. The podcast’s makers and Quinne had been approached for comment. [1]