Fans react to comic's cancer joke in presence of King Charles

King Charles III's fans expressed their anger over comic's 'tasteless' cancer joke in front of the monarch at a star-studded event.

Fans, who tuned into Sunday night's ITV Royal Variety Performance, reacted to a comedian's joke about cancer in front of the 76-year-old monarch, who's still receiving treatment.

It happened when Matt Forde, who was diagnosed with cancer himself last year, took to the stage with a walking stick and began to say: "Before I start I should explain why I need a walking stick." 

He went on saying: "Just over a year ago, I had terrible nerve pain in my left leg and I went to get an MRI scan thinking the pain was caused by a slipped or swollen disc.

"I got the results of that scan back and I was diagnosed with cancer. And at that point, I had no idea how much longer I had to live."

With an aim to lift the sombre atmosphere, Forde said: "I'm telling you this... mainly just to get you onside because I'm going to impersonate some politicians now."

As ripples of laughter emerged, Forde's jokes about the illness didn't stop there. Referring to his imminent impersonations, he remarked: "If I insult somebody you like, just remember... I've been very brave."

The British monarch, who's also been battling cancer since February, was also present at the Royal Albert Hall balcony to watch the performance.

Several turned to X, with one fan raging: "A cancer joke with the King watching? Bit tasteless. #RoyalVarietyPerformance."

"I don't agree with the cancer joke #RoyalVarietyPerformance," a second hit out while a third agreed: "The cancer joke is very ill timed after what the king has been through recently. #RoyalVarietyPerformance."

"This comedian is utterly unfunny - and his ‘cancer jokes’ were dire and in the worst possible taste!! #RoyalVarietyPerformance," added a fourth.

"Coming in with a joke about cancer in front of the King? Are you serious? #RoyalVarietyPerformance," another said.

Other social media users, who'd had their own personal battles with the illness also reacted to the comments, with one saying: "Did he have to mention his cancer diagnosis, as a cancer survivor myself good luck to him, but did he really have to mention it in front of the King? #RoyalVarietyPerformance."