Channel 4 viewers have been left divided by tonight's Prince Andrew: The Musical.
Described as a "satirical send-up", the Channel 4 programme stars Kieran Hodgson and features a cast of comics and drag queens. Prince Andrew, son of the late Queen Elizabeth, stepped down from public life in November 2019 amid the fallout from that BBC interview with Emily Maitlis. They spoke at length of his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in August that year – birthing the controversy surrounding the Pizza Express in Woking.
A billboard was erected there today to promote the musical, which aired on Channel 4 this evening.
Andrew denied claims that he had sex with Virginia Giuffre, who said she was trafficked by Epstein on three separate occasions, including when she was 17 – still a minor under US law.
Taking to Twitter, viewers gave their verdict on the musical - which starred the likes of Kieran Hodgson, best known for his roles in the likes of Two Doors Down and How Europe Stole My Mum, as Prince Andrew. Comedian Munya Chawawa took on the role of Prince Charles, with fellow comic Jenny Bede playing Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew's ex-wife.
"#princeandrewthemusical I thought was brilliant TV. People forget he got away with it and all the Royal family want is for it to go away. Well done #channel4 comedy satire is this. It hits where it hurts and gets results. Loved it. Beautifully done," one fan penned.
Another added: "Really enjoyed #princeandrewthemusical funny and totally irreverent, hope all the royal fam were watching!"
"Thoroughly great entertainment. Best show I’ve seen over Christmas #PrinceAndrewTheMusical," a third wrote, with a fourth adding: "#princeandrewthemusical what a work of genius! Satire at its best. Well done @Channel4 that wins Christmas viewing for me."
However, others hated the musical adaptation and took to social media to slam the show.
"I must be getting old. This is so dreadful, disrespectful, dire . I really thought it was poor in subject and conviction. #princeandrewthemusical," one wrote, as another shared: "Waste of time, money and airtime, utter rubbish . Best part was the #profiterole I could just go one of those now. #C4PrinceAndrew #princeandrewthemusical."
One viewer penned: "The Prince Andrew musical on @Channel4 is ever-so faintly rubbish . Dreary songs, tabloidy. The idea is better than the execution. Over to Madonna night on @BBCTwo. #princeandrewthemusical."
"The idea of this is just terrible . Not sure why anyone would think it was OK to make his story into a comedy!" a fifth shared.
