Anne Hegerty, better known as the no-nonsense “Governess” on ITV’s The Chase, has found herself at the center of controversy after weighing in on the shocking murder of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
What started as a short remark on social media quickly snowballed into heated online backlash, with critics branding her words “stupid” and “terribly misinformed.”
The Tragic Death of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing commentator and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was gunned down on September 10 during an event at Utah Valley University.
He was shot in the neck from a distance of around 200 yards while answering a question about mass shootings.
Despite being rushed to hospital in critical condition, he was declared dead just two and a half hours later.
His death sent shockwaves through U.S. political circles, with many calling him a defining figure of the Republican youth movement who played a role in Donald Trump’s 2024 White House victory.
Suspect Faces Capital Murder Charges
Police arrested 22-year-old student Tyler Robinson shortly after the shooting.
Prosecutors say Robinson, who allegedly held leftist views and may have been radicalised online, is facing capital murder charges.
During his first court appearance via Zoom, Robinson appeared disheveled, wearing a suicide-prevention vest, and spoke only to confirm his details. He remains in custody without bail.
Anne Hegerty’s Reaction
Amid the shock and outrage, Hegerty shared her own thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), telling her 148,000 followers she hadn’t even heard of Kirk until the news of his murder broke.
“Had we met,” she wrote, “my end of the conversation would have been ‘You just said WHAT?’ and ‘Excuse me, those are my FRIENDS you’re talking about.’”
She added that she joined U.S. senator Bernie Sanders in condemning the murder, making clear that she deplores violence of any kind.
Backlash From Fans and Followers
Her comments, however, didn’t land well. Many accused her of making assumptions without understanding who Kirk was.
One user snapped: “Anne, look at his debates before making assumptions – P.S. your head is big.”
Hegerty fired back with her trademark wit: “I know, it always has been. In the jungle, I had the second largest hat size.”
Others were less amused, accusing her of insensitivity. “This is a terribly misinformed post and you should really take it down,” one commenter demanded.
Another added: “Bad take, Anne. He was a humble, polite debater who only wanted to open people’s minds.”
Hegerty Defends Free Speech
Refusing to back down, the 67-year-old TV star insisted that she believed strongly in free speech.
She also pointed to what she saw as Americans’ “hair-trigger angriness and sensitivity,” arguing that constant outrage only fuels more division.
Her replies did little to cool tempers, with critics flooding her mentions and insisting she had “sat this one out” rather than comment on a man she admitted she had never heard of before.
A Debate That Won’t Go Away
Hegerty’s clash with online followers is the latest example of how polarised conversations around U.S. politics have spilled across borders.
Kirk’s death, already a flashpoint in America, has now sparked a storm of debate in the UK too—where a quizmaster famous for her sharp tongue has become an unlikely voice in the discussion.
For now, Tyler Robinson’s trial looms, and the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk continues to dominate headlines.
But the fallout from Hegerty’s words shows just how quickly social media can turn a personal comment into a global talking point.