Only Connect was back on screens on Monday, and once again host Victoria Coren Mitchell became caught up in an awkward innuendo, this time with the teammates involved in the “filthy” joke.
It came as the subject of former politician Penny Mordaunt came up in the questions, which led to a conversation about the 51-year-old carrying the sword at King Charles III’s Coronation.
Coren Mitchell herself branded the discussion “filthy,” with fans on social media distracted by the unexpected subject.
One team on the show, called The Introverts, linked Mordaunt to pop star Carly Rae Jepsen when trying to work out a connection in one of the quesitons on the notoriously difficult quiz show.
“People were terribly impressed, weren’t they, Penny Mordaunt carrying the sword,” Coren Mitchell noted, alluding to the 2023 Coronation.
Rae Jepsen was seemingly the receiver of swords from her fans who were inspired by an online post.
Only Connect fans soon responded to the ‘filthy’ joke
BBC
It was when Coren Mitchell explained this connection that the inappropriate joke surfaced.
“Somebody put on Tumblr they want to give Carly Ray Jepsen a sword,” the presenter detailed.
“I like her and think she should have a sword,” she noted after explaining the question’s link.
In response, team member quipped: “I think that’s a euphemism,” sparking a shocked reaction from Coren Mitchell and eliciting laughter from the audience.
The Only Connect innuendo came about during a discussion about swords
BBC
It was when Coren Mitchell explained this connection that the inappropriate joke surfaced.
“Somebody put on Tumblr they want to give Carly Ray Jepsen a sword,” the presenter detailed.
“I like her and think she should have a sword,” she noted after explaining the question’s link.
In response, team member quipped: “I think that’s a euphemism,” sparking a shocked reaction from Coren Mitchell and eliciting laughter from the audience.
A red-faced Coren Mitchell replied: “That never occurred to me. Oh my Lord!
“Well, what’s happened is people have given her inflatable swords. People turn up… but it now sounds filthy.”
She swiftly added: “Let’s move on,” continuing with the questions. It didn’t take long though for viewers to respond to the moment on social media.
Some found it funny while others were stunned by the joke, with one writing on X: “#OnlyConnect that guy from the teatotallers pointing out the sword euphemism is the funniest thing I’ve seen for a long time #onlyconnect.”
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Penny Mordaunt carried the sword at King Charles III’s Coronation
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“Not quite sure that ‘people were terribly impressed’ is the right description of Penny Mordaunt’s sword handling. Comedy [Game Of Thrones] character more like #OnlyConnect,” a second shared.
“Bradley and the euphemism. Brilliant. #onlyconnect,” another added, with someone else writing: “Just catching up on #onlyconnect and laughing at @VictoriaCoren misunderstanding swords…”
Another disgruntled viewer commented: “#OnlyConnect Alright mate, calm the f*** down!” (sic)
It isn’t the first time fans have accused the show of inappropriate jokes, with the presenter recently making a racy remark about Michael Portillo.