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Brian Moore's on-air 'bulimia' comment triggers storm on Twitter
BBC commentator Brian Moore has upset a great deal of people on Twitter after light-heartedly questioning if an Irish player vomiting on the pitch was the result of ‘bulimia’.
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Ireland and France were fighting it out to challenge England for the Six Nations Championship in the final game of the elongated 2020 season.
Around the 20-minute mark cameras showed Irish loosehead Cian Healy vomiting on the pitch, possibly as the result of a head collision. Minutes later he would be removed for a HIA, which he ultimately passed.
While footage of Healy rolled, former England hooker Moore, who has carved out a career as an outspoken rugby pundit, columnist and commentator since his retirement in the 1990s, suggested the vomiting may have been the result of bulimia.
While clearly intended as a light-hearted comment, it was enough to trigger Twitter. “That was a stupid comment by Brian Moore. Disappointing,” wrote one poster.
That was a stupid comment by Brian Moore. Disappointing. #FRAvIRE
— Darren Waters (@darrenwaters) October 31, 2020
“Brian Moore has just made a joke about bulimia live on BBC while commenting on #FRAvIRE. Disgraceful behaviour” wrote one outraged Tweeter.
Brian Moore has just made a joke about bulimia live on BBC while commenting on #FRAvIRE
Disgraceful behaviour
— Conor Patton (@conor_patton) October 31, 2020
“Please tell me the BBC Sport commentator did not just make a “bulimia” joke because Cian Healy was making himself sick on pitch?” said another.
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Please tell me the @BBCSport commentator did not just make a “bulimia” joke because Cian Healy was making himself sick on pitch??? #SixNations #FRAvIRE
— Grumpy Dad ????????????? (@GatzReborn) October 31, 2020
There were many more in that vein.
Thought I'd heard it all, and then I heard possible #concussion being called bulimia
— Dr Willie Stewart (@WillStewNeuro) October 31, 2020
The bulimia joke should be the nail in the coffin… https://t.co/rS0pKWWoMp
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) October 31, 2020
Disappointed that @BBCOne didn’t take the opportunity to apologise for Brian Moore’s stupid comment. Saying nothing is an acceptance of behaviour #SixNations #FRAvIRE
— Hannah Lawrance (@hlawrance92) October 31, 2020
Still reeling from Brian Moore saying Bulimia when Healy was spitting in the first half of #FravIre. Complained to BBC with thoughts I'm not confident sharing here. But I do want to show solidarity with anyone suffering or who has suffered with this serious and terrible illness.
— Kirsty Nutt (@squeakingsorex) October 31, 2020
Dear @BBCSport it is not appropriate for Brian Moore to make a joke about bulimia when he’s commentating on a game on your channels pic.twitter.com/8yL6zsuZlQ
— Andrea (@ValerieBarlow6) October 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/IssieAtch/status/1322637284999680002
@Nigelrefowens, did you hear @brianmoore666 making a 'joke' about bulimia on the @BBCSport Six Nations coverage? As a sufferer myself, I think it's important that he and the BBC should acknowledge that it was inappropriate.
— 5000COLO (@5000Colo) October 31, 2020
@brianmoore666 hope you get sacked after your horrible bulimia joke at the rugby tonight #sacked #bbc #bbcrugby
— Gordon Rowland (@gordieboy67) October 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/Badger29659331/status/1322648082224467970
Recently former England cricketer Freddy Flintoff revealed that he had secretly battled bulimia during his career as a professional cricketer.
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Bulimia is described as an emotional disorder characterized by a distorted body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight, in which bouts of extreme overeating are followed by fasting or self-induced vomiting or purging.
