It was the biggest story of the last series – and maybe ALL series – of Strictly Come Dancing: Contestant Seann Walsh caught kissing his married partner Katya Jones in the street.
And now the comedian has apologised unreservedly in a new interview with Jonathan Ross – but viewers watching at home weren’t happy, calling the conversation “horribly awkward” and “cringe.”
The 33-year-old – who was dating fellow comedian Rebecca Humphries when the photographs emerged back in October – was on the popular talkshow to promote his new stand-up show, but Jonathan, 58, very quickly moved onto the scandal.
The veteran TV host confronted Seann in front of the other guests, including Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson and A-lister Samuel L. Jackson, as well as The Voice coaches will.i.am and Jennifer Hudson.
Jonathan explained to them: “Seann was on Strictly Come Dancing… and he’s in a relationship at home and then he’s photographed kissing the woman he’s dancing with on the show.”
Talking directly to Seann – whose ex-partner later accused him of being “controlling” and “aggressive” – Jonathan added: “And then your partner wrote a powerful and somewhat moving statement about that on Twitter. I wanted to know how you felt about all that and how you felt about what she wrote.”
Looking embarrassed and awkward, Seann told him: “Obviously I’m stupid and I was selfish and I was hurtful to someone that I cared about and someone that I respected, and I still care about and still respect.
“I will always be sorry about what I did. I think, when it all sort-of blew up, I don’t think I reacted in the correct manner. I didn’t know what to do, y’know, it was huge. It’s been some time since then, I’ve had a lot of time to look at my actions, look at my behaviour and I take responsibility as well.”
The TV funnyman – who has previously joked about the cheating incident – went on: “When you’ve gone through something like that, you end up thinking in cliches, and, y’know, if I could go back in time I would behave differently and treat her differently. Unfortunately I can only be as sorry as I am, and as regretful as I am.
“Rebecca didn’t sign up for that, and it’s all my fault and the mess, I take responsibility for that.”
The camera panned over the other guests during the chat, who all looked very uncomfortable, and it’s been reported that Brie Larson and Samuel L Jackson were particularly unhappy about sitting through it.
Onlookers claimed an exchange was cut from the final show, where Samuel said to Jonathan: “What the [bleep] was that? You had to deal with it. We didn’t!” Brie reportedly added: “It is painful, yeah. This is not my thing.”
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Viewers watching at home were shocked at the awkward conversation. One tweeted: “It was very uncomfortable and not what I was expecting from a light-hearted chat show. You could sense everyone clenching so hard that the set was in danger of being sucked up. A bad move from @wossy.”
A second added: “Seann Walsh on Jonathan Ross is one of the most awkward things I’ve ever seen. Also, I love Brie Larson. #jonathanross.”
Another wrote: “#TheJRShow What a weird decision to put Seann Walsh on the sofa in the middle of the show. One minute about his tour but the rest was pretty awkward viewing. @wossy.”
One more shocked fan added: “I don’t think I’ve ever cringed as much as I am watching Seann Walsh on the Jonathan Ross Show just now.”
Others couldn’t believe that Hollywood A-listers were forced to sit there and listen. One wrote: “This was awkward. Why did an Oscar winner and Sam Jackson have to sit through that?”
Another said: “Cringe, what a pointless question to ask. I feel sorry for the other people having to sit through that [bleep] and listen to some absolute nobody apologise for cheating on someone.”
A third added: “Seann Walsh on @wossy is so awkward. Samuel L Jackson doesn’t know where to put his face. #jonathanross.”
Some weren’t buying Seann’s apology either, writing: “So insincere. He’s been coached what to say and I don’t buy any of it…😴.” Another commented: “Is anyone interested in him anymore after “that” incident? Why give him the time? Guess he is struggling to sell tour tickets…”
A few defended the comedian, though, with one tweeting: “@wossy Why would you put Seann Walsh in that position? Sat on a sofa with a bunch of American superstars talking about his private life. Horribly awkward. #Thejonathanrossshow.”
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