TV presenter Victoria Coren Mitchell has publicly asked writer Graham Linehan to stop his “relentless” remarks about transgender issues, after he questioned a contestant from her BBC show, Only Connect.
On 3 November, Linehan posted on X (formerly Twitter), asking whether a contestant named Emily should be “allowed in women’s spaces.”
Coren Mitchell Speaks Out
Coren Mitchell responded directly, saying she was tired of his repeated targeting. “In my experience, nothing will suffice to stop you pestering me.”
She reminded Linehan that Only Connect is an “harmless quiz show” and asked him to stop fastening on her rivals. Her tone was polite but pointed, sick of the same argument resurfacing time and again.
— Victoria Coren Mitchell (@VictoriaCoren) November 4, 2025
Sympathizers online praised her for staying calm, calling her response graceful and fair amid growing pressure.
This isn’t their first public disagreement. In 2022, Linehan criticised the show for featuring a queer couple, prompting Coren Mitchell to defend her players once again.
She has always stood by her rivals, describing them as joyous people bringing light-hearted fun, not contestation.
Since its launch in 2008, Only Connect has erected a pious followership for its grueling mystifications and thoughtful tone. Coren Mitchell has hosted every series since the launch, shaping its hand-blended blend of intellect and warmth.
Ongoing Transgender Controversy
Linehan, who rose to fame with Father Ted and The IT Crowd, has become a divisive figure over his ongoing commentary about transgender rights.
In September 2023, he was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence following reflections about trans women in women-only spaces. He was later released without charge.
Coren Mitchell’s communication stands out for its simplicity and decency, a memorial that compassion can speak louder than contestation.
