The BBC has faced ire from its viewers after its "distasteful" coverage of Charlie Kirk's assassination. The conservative commentator was shot dead last night (September 10) while speaking at a university campus in Utah. US president Donald Trump has paid tribute to the "legendary" activist.

But live on the BBC's rolling coverage, Democratic strategist Joi Chaney said the right-wing commentator "wasn't admired and loved by all". She appeared to laugh on-air, saying: "I've never shared a Trump post in my life. I will contemplate sharing this one. But what I will say with a caveat. He wasn't admired and loved by all, so that's an exaggeration."

While the rest of the panel expressed shock, with one even gasping, Chaney added: "The truth is it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter whether he was loved, I understand why President Trump said it. I'm not critiquing it.

"But what I'm saying is we don't have to like and admire someone to want to believe that they get to go out and speak and share their views in front of people who support them and who don't support them."

Viewers were fuming on X, with one writing: "Shame on you. I think that millions around the world disagree with your take. He was loved, celebrated, educated, gifted. Charlie is dead. Don't celebrate that. Don't laugh at that."

Someone else added: "If individuals like this are given the chance to speak on national television, this is what will happen. Her choice of words and tone suggests she's glad the man is gone. Such a weak and heartless person."

And a third said: "Couldn't believe it when I heard this on the BBC. Why did they even have this Democrat, Joi Chaney, on the programme? She was laughing at the death of Charlie Kirk. Pure evil."

Former GB News star Dan Wootton added: "The BBC and Democrats actually make me physically ill. This is how the British public broadcaster decided to react to the announcement of Charlie Kirk's assassination. Shame on you. She's actually laughing."

Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.