BBC issues statement after receiving complaints over Dan Stevens' Boris Johnson joke on The One Show

Presenters on The One Show were stunned into silence a week ago as guest star Dan Stevens made a savage dig at Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas were reeling after his scathing remarks about the PM just a day after the Tory leader was fined £50 for breaking lockdown rules by attending a party to celebrate his birthday while the country was in lockdown.

The Downton Abbey actor, who plays Matthew Crawley in the period drama, was on the sofa to discuss his latest drama based on the Watergate scandal which involved the administration of US president Richard Nixon which led to his resignation in 1974. And Dan didn’t hold back as he made an attack on Mr Johnson.

Jaws dropped as he said: “What you’ve got is a criminal for a leader who is wrapped up in a messy war, embroiled in a stupid scandal and surrounded by ambitious idiots and really should resign ... I’m sorry that’s the intro to Boris Johnson, I've just said the intro to Boris Johnson."

READ MORE: Brooke Vincent says she cried as she worried about coping with two young sons

Presenter Alex gasped out loud at the swipe while co-host Jermaine looked away while stifling a laugh. Jane Rackham said on Twitter: "Doubt Dan will be invited back on BBC - even though he’s saying what the majority of the nation are thinking."

Nick Rochford said: "It’s funny and true. But what’s shocking is that how shockingly rebellious and outre this is. We should be a democracy and have free speech. Rather than it being embarrassingly covered up or apologised for." And @SamwiseG1 tweeted: "Oh my. I don't think the One Show were expecting THAT little nugget of delight."

It has since been revealed that Dan's comments sparked complaints from viewers. And the broadcaster