The architect Zaha Hadid, winner of the 2016 RIBA royal gold medal, angrily ended a BBC interview on Thursday, telling the presenter to “check your facts” after she was questioned about two controversial projects.
Hadid is far from the first to walk out of a live interview or debate after objecting to a line of questioning. Here are 10 of the most dramatic walkouts.
Quentin Tarantino v Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Tarantino clashed with the Channel 4 News anchor during a fractious interview about on-screen violence, at one point telling Guru-Murthy: “I’m shutting your butt down.”
Preston v Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Ordinary Boys (remember them? Hmmm…) singer Preston stormed off the show in 2007 after the presenter Simon Amstel read him numerous excerpts from the autobiography of his then wife, Chantelle Houghton, whom he met on Celebrity Big Brother. As he left, team captain Bill Bailey said: “I guess he thought he’d been voted out.”
Bailey picked out an audience member who happened to look like Preston and got him to sit in the singer’s seat. “We’ll just carry on as if everything is normal, shall we?” suggested Amstell.
John Brown v the Kardashians
Brown, a news presenter with Fox 25 News in Florida, walked out on a live broadcast over a segment about Kylie Jenner’s new pet rabbit Bruce. “I’m having a good Friday so I refuse to talk about the Kardashians today,” he fumed. “You are on your own, Amy. I can’t do it, I’ve had enough Kardashians!”
Robert Downey Jr v Krishnan Guru-Murthy (again)
Two years after his clash with Tarantino, Guru-Murthy angered another Hollywood star with his forthright interview questions. Downey Jr later called the Channel 4 presenter a “bottom-feeding muckraker”.
John Lydon v I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!
The former Sex Pistol walked off the set of the ITV reality show after swearing at viewers who he had hoped would end his jungle nightmare, calling them “fucking cunts” for not voting him off.
After his walkout, the star started a fire on the edge of the camp in protest at the lack of food, and told programme-makers he had left because he was bored and wanted some chocolate.
Rachel Dolezal v her family
This year’s most jaw-dropping story so far came to an uncomfortable head when Dolezal, a prominent civil rights activist, was asked on camera to respond to claims made by her biological parents that she has been misrepresenting herself as a black woman.
George Galloway v an Israeli student
George Galloway was accused of racism after walking out of a debate at Oxford University when he discovered that his opponent was an Israeli citizen. “I don’t debate with Israelis. I have been misled, sorry,” Galloway said, standing and putting on his coat. As he walked out he reiterated: “I don’t recognise Israel and I don’t debate with Israelis.”
Chuka Umunna v Sky News
Chuka Umunna, then shadow business secretary, walked out of a live television interview after being asked his view on a letter sent to 1,000 Muslim leaders by the communities secretary Eric Pickles. He said he had not read it and was booked to talk about the prime minister’s speech on the economy.
Robert De Niro v Radio Times
Robert De Niro stormed out of an interview with the Radio Times when he objected to a line of questioning about how he avoids falling into “autopilot” mode on set. “I’m not doing it. I’m not doing it, darling,” he said. He then stuck his head out of the door to find someone to take him out of the room.
Freddie Starr v Good Morning Britain
Starr vehemently objected to some questions about sex abuse claims against him, days after learning that he would not be prosecuted. The comedian ordered the Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid to leave his home when she asked whether he had done “anything that could have been misinterpreted” in his past relationships. “Are you being serious?” Starr replied, before removing his microphone and walking out of the room.
