1 week Ago By Ruth Lawes
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Metro.co.
uk","duration":"T1M28S","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.dailymail.co.
uk/1s/2025/04/08/10/97034659-0-image-a-32_1744105393986.jpg","uploadDate":"2025-04-08T10:30:17+0100","description":"John Oliver and JK Rowling have clashed again over the topic of trans athletes.","contentUrl":"https://videos.
metro.co.uk/video/met/2025/04/08/7120744282921218135/480x270_MP4_7120744282921218135.
mp4","height":270,"width":480}To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser thatsupports HTML5videoUp NextPrevious PageNext Pagewindow.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) {if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.
detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.
carousel.el_) === 'undefined') {return;}var player = data.detail.
carousel.el_;var container = player.closest('.
metro-video-player');var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder');container.
removeChild(placeholder);container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded');});JK Rowling and John Oliver have reignited their feud over the rights of trans athletes.
Last November, the Harry Potter author, 59, issued a lengthy rant on X after the chat show host said there was ‘no evidence’ trans athletes ‘pose any threat to safety or fairness’.After his comments on TV show The Last Week Tonight, Rowling claimed Oliver was ‘happy to watch females suffer injury, humiliation and the loss of sporting opportunities’.On Sunday’s programme, Oliver restarted their clash by addressing her social media post, saying: ‘It feels a bit weird to catch that much heat from the creator of Harry Potter, especially when I clearly look like what would have happened to him if they left him in that cupboard for the rest of his life.
’The 47-year-old comedian added that he ‘stood by’ the comments he made last year. Rowling later wrote on X: ‘I understand why men like Oliver, who’ve consistently mocked anti-science people on the right, sold out initially. They didn’t want to blow up their careers.
Taking fashionable anti-women’s rights positions was the cost of doing business. But it’s time to read the f***ing room.’Rowling and Oliver have previously clashed over trans athletes (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty Images)Oliver said there is ‘no evidence’ trans athletes ‘pose any threat to safety or fairness’.
(Picture: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)Rowling regularly comes under fire for her gender critical views, but has strongly denied being transphobic.HBO has also faced backlash after telling fans the writer has a right to her ‘personal viewers’ after confirming her involvement in the Harry Potter TV series.Last month, a spokesperson for the network told Variety: ‘JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views.
We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.’It came after HBO chief Casey Bloys said at a press event that she was ‘very, very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director’.He added her views haven’t ‘affected the casting or hiring of writers or production staff.
’Rowling regularly comes under fire for her gender critical views, but has strongly denied being transphobic (Picture: Walter McBride/WireImage)Oliver said he stood by his comments defending trans athletes (Picture: TheStewartofNY/GC Images)HBO’s stance has severely disappointed fans online who have made their discontent clear online.‘HBO stands by greed and money on the wrong side of history’ @DavidOpie wrote on X.‘Shame on HBO, Pure and utter shame on them!’ @furgieofficial added.
Former Harry Potter stars such as Emma Watson have publicly stated their support for trans people while Daniel Radcliffe admitted Rowling makes him ‘really sad’ now.In November, social media users turned on Rowling once again after she aimed a joke Doctor Who star David Tennant after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s election.Tennant and Badenoch had locked horns a few months earlier when the actor told her to ‘shut up’ while collection an LGBT ally award following her support of the pledge to protect single sex spaces in the Equality Act.
Following the MP’s victory, Rowling tweeted: ‘My thoughts and prayers are with David Tennant at this very difficult time’.Her comment was slammed as ‘not a good look’ by fans.Got a story?If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.
co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected].
uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you..
