Belfast Comedian Vittorio Angelone Criticised for Rape "Joke"
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A Belfast comedian has been criticised for making a rape joke about a woman who had publicly shared her experience as a sexual assault victim.
Vittorio Angelone referred to Rebecca Goodwin, a content creator, in a remark about rape during a 2025 podcast episode.
Goodwin, who had reported a rape to the police, expressed her distress: "It will forever live with me that it was allowed for my name to be used as the punchline of a malicious 'joke' about such a serious issue."
Angelone has since apologised on social media, stating he has reached out to Goodwin directly. He acknowledged, "I let my need for validation supersede my own standards and morals... It's completely pathetic and I'm ashamed to realise that about myself."
Goodwin had previously spoken publicly about her assault. The joke was made during a "roast" podcast episode, where comedians insult each other in front of an audience.
She discovered the comments only recently, after clips were shared on social media. "I am grateful I never saw it sooner because it would've been just weeks after [the assault] happened and I was in a different mental state," she said.
Rape Crisis Northern Ireland and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre have both condemned the remarks.
The podcast episode, which Goodwin was not involved in, remains unedited and accessible behind a paywall.
Goodwin concluded, "We are facing a global crisis of violence against women and girls, and we are begging for our safety and experiences to be taken seriously."
Freddy Quinne, another comedian involved, has also apologised to Goodwin.