Belfast comedian Vittorio Angelone faces backlash over rape remark about content creator

Belfast comedian Vittorio Angelone has faced criticism after making a rape joke about content creator Rebecca Goodwin, who recently spoke publicly about being a victim of sexual assault, the BBC reported. The remark was originally made during a podcast episode in 2025. [1]

Goodwin had previously reported a rape to the police, according to the BBC. She stated that it will forever live with her that her name was allowed to be used as the punchline of a malicious joke about such a serious issue. [1]

Goodwin claimed that Angelone had posted videos containing the remark on his social media accounts in recent days, the BBC reported. Angelone has since issued an apology on social media and stated that he reached out directly to Goodwin to apologise. [1]

The name Belfast is an anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic Béal Feirste, which translates to the mouth of the sandbank ford, referencing a shallow crossing at the estuary of the River Farset. [3]