Comic Relief apologises for Frankie Boyle's dead Queen jokes at charity gig

Frankie Boyle performing at Give It Up for Comic Relief (Getty)

Comic Relief has apologised to its supporters after Frankie Boyle caused controversy at a charity gig with a string of gags about the Queen.

The Scottish comic was reported to have been booed by the audience at the Give It Up for Comic Relief concert at Wembley Arena after launching into a routine which included jokes about the Queen's recent illness, the Duchess of Cambridge's pregnancy and the Jimmy Savile sex scandal.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "The Give it Up for Comic Relief gig included a range of comedians and performers who all gave their time for free to raise awareness and money for a serious issue.

"We appreciate that not all the personalities who take part in our campaign are to everyone's taste, and hope that our supporters haven't been offended and continue to support Red Nose Day."

The concert, which was organised by Russell Brand, featured acts including Jack Whitehall, Noel Gallagher and Jessie J and was shown on BBC Three on Wednesday night - but Boyle's entire act was cut from the broadcast.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "It was an extremely tight edit of a three-and-a-half hour show down to 90 minutes and not every act or performance made the final broadcast."

Whitehall was among the other acts cut from the final BBC show.

PA