Matthew Perry's BBC row with 'complete fool' during heated Newsnight debate

29 October 2023 , 22:36

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Matthew Perry's BBC row with 'complete fool' during heated Newsnight debate

Matthew Perry used his platform for good prior to his heartbreaking death on Saturday, including appearing on a British TV show to advocate for drug policy reform.

But during his time on BBC current affairs programme Newsnight in 2013, the Friends actor found himself having to debate with a controversial broadcaster who tried to dismiss his arguments, with Matthew calling on specialist drugs courts being introduced with former addicts acting as magistrates in order to pass a more informed judgement on abuse-related offences by non-violent addicts.

Arguing in favour of their use, the Chandler Bing actor said: "I know that they work. People that go through drug court have a 55% less chance of ever seeing handcuffs ever again." Peter Hitchens, a British journalist and anti-drug campaigner took issue with Matthew's comments and told the star: "You are making a point that is as ludicrous as saying Peter Pan is real."

Matthew Perry won praise for his comments on the BBC show (BBC)

Other heated moments from the televised debate saw Matthew brand the broadcaster "Santa" and suggested he should "read something other than your book", referring to Peter's published essay The War We Never Fought: The British Establishment's Surrender To Drugs.

Writing in his memoir last year, Matthew recalled his encounter with Peter and didn't hold back - branding the writer "a complete tool" and telling readers how the debate had been moderated by "a cranky guy called Jeremy Paxman who was famous for being rude to guests".

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"I can’t imagine what it’s like to have a sibling whom everyone adores when you’re the idiot brother everyone loathes, but I think Peter could well be able to weigh in on what that feels like," Matthew wrote in his bestselling autobiography Friends, Lovers and The Big Terrible Thing.

Peter claimed last year not to know who the world famous Friends actor was (BBC)

He continued: "The loss of Peter’s wonderful brother, the great [author] Christopher Hitchens, still reverberates – an unmatched raconteur, writer, arguer, and bon vivant, and the world mourns Christopher still, more than a decade after his brutal death from cancer. Sadly, his younger brother, Peter, is still pontificating on things he has no idea about, mixing right-wing ideology with a kind of paternalism and moral tutting."

Matthew went on to state how he felt that Peter proved " he knew nothing about either me, or the subject on which he pontificate" during the BBC debate, while he made Peter look "like the fool he is". In a statement shared with The Independent, Peter claimed he had "no idea who Matthew" was when he was invited on to Newsnight in 2013.

Following the news of Matthew's death at the age of 54 breaking over the weekend, fans of the comedic actor have been remembering his epic Newsnight appearance. One penned on Twitter (aka X): "I loved Chandler Bing's one-liners but true glory for #matthewperry came when he demolished Peter Hitchen in a Newsnight debate on drugs policy: knowledge vs bigotry, experience vs ignorance - Perry's bravery in revealing his own troubles shone through."

*If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, you can seek confidential help and support 24-7 from Frank, by calling 0300 123 6600, texting 82111, sending an email or visiting the website here.

Zoe Delaney