Michael McIntyre has left plenty of BBC Big Show viewers fuming following his opening joke
Joe Crutchley Screen Time Reporter
20:01, 28 Feb 2026
Michael McIntyre’s Big Show hit with complaints within minutes over inappropriate joke(Image: BBC)
Viewers watching BBC’s Michael McIntyre’s Big Show were left unimpressed just minutes in over a “rude” joke.
On Saturday evening (February 28), BAFTA award-winning comedian Michael returned with his unmissable night of family entertainment. During the show, pop star Jade Thirlwall handed over her phone for an ambitious Send to All with a twist, while Love Island star Tasha Ghouri helped surprise an inspirational Unexpected Star of the Show.
However, just minutes in viewers were left livid by Michael’s opening joke. He said: “You’re very lucky to come to this series because I look fabulous don’t I! I’m half the size, have you noticed how much weight I’ve lost. I’m half the person, I’ve gone too far!”
The BBC show returned to screens
He went on: “Basically I did do three weeks of cheating. It’s called the fat jab. Basically people are scared of it because it’s a needle but you don’t feel it. Well you don’t, because you’re fat. When you feel it you know you’re done, it’s hit the bone!”
Michael continued: “At least I look good with the weight loss because some people lose loads of weight and they don’t look better and you don’t know what to say to them.
Michael left viewers unimpressed
“Like some people have a massive nose but you haven’t noticed it because their cheeks are out here. Then the cheeks go in and it’s like where did that come from?!’” What’s more, in another comment that divided fans, Michael described himself as a “fat Chinese man”.
Not impressed, viewers rushed over to X to hit out at Michael’s opening joke. One person fumed: “That opening joke routine was all a bit cringe.”
Another added: “Veryy rude I thought, unnecessarily so.” A third chimed in: “Why is #michaelmcintyresbigshow promoting the fat jab!?”
Fans called out his ‘rude’ joke online
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It comes after last week, things took an emotional turn leaving a famous footballer fighting back tears. Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy took on the Remember Me segment and the couple was tasked with identifying people from their past whom they haven’t seen in years.
Everyone from their wedding singer to Peter’s childhood crush made an appearance. But it was the former England footballer’s first professional coach, Barry Quinn, who left him utterly stunned.
Upon hearing Barry’s voice, Peter immediately became emotional, and Abbey quickly noticed, pointing out, “He’s crying.” Although the sports star didn’t break down into tears, the surprise left him teary-eyed.
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Michael McIntyre’s Big Show airs every Saturday at 6:45pm on BBC One.