ComedyGraham Linehanrichard ayoadeTrans activism

For expressing concern about the proliferation of hormone treatment and gender transition among minors, comedy writer Graham Linehan lost his marriage, his career, and the support of many former friends. But it would seem the industry hasn’t completely deserted him. Speaking to the broadcaster Gyles Brandreth on the Rosebud podcast today, fellow funnyman Richard Ayoade described the Father Ted creator as “a man of great principle”, and said that Linehan had endured a “harrowing time” in the aftermath of his involvement in the trans debate.

Ayoade also praised Linehan’s memoir Tough Crowd, which was published last year and detailed his shunning by the television industry in response to his comments on gender, and called him a “brilliant writer”. Ayoade is no doubt used to mixing with controversial public figures — his brother-in-law is Laurence Fox…