It’s been a great year for Seb Coe, with London 2012 a massive success, being tipped to become the next Mayor of London, and last night, winning the Lifetime Achievement award at the BBC’s annual Sports Personality of the Year bash.
But this chicken thought he let himself down a tad when, seconds after finishing his speech last night, he turned to someone standing behind them and said: “you bastard!” At least, that’s what it looks like. And in earshot of the Duchess of Cambridge and her rapidly growing bump, no less. We’re utterly OUTRAGED at his words in the presence of our future monarch. We’d never use eggstreme language like that in a public place. Ahem.
So throw away your Olympic gold medal, Seb. And winning the London Olympic bid, those years of planning, the greatest British summer of sport ever, not forgetting those cosy early-morning judo sessions with William Hague. It all means nothing now, in the light of ‘bastardgate.’
Of course, lipreading’s an inexact science, so we could be wrong. But we’re about 90% sure. Do you agree? Take a look for yourself…
Thanks to Twitter’s @shutupandpoo
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splottdadrants
December 17, 2012
et the subtitler missed it too; but then they often do!
Robert Mandara
December 17, 2012
Yes, I agree that’s what it looks like with about 95% certainty.
If you had just asked us to say what they think he’s saying then maybe people would have suggested other words – or not – and thereby have determined whether Mr “you bastard!” Coe has a case to answer.
Tony Sutton (@tony_sutton)
December 17, 2012
I don’t see the problem with it if he did indeed say that. What did I miss?
Looks like a friendly chit chat with the host, something like “Ah, you didn’t tell me that I was going to win this!” sort of conversation.
Lana Senchal
December 17, 2012
agree with you, Tony
BazzaDeaf
December 17, 2012
Was it something to do with making him walk from the back of the hall to the stage?
Maria Grazia Zedda (@wideaware)
December 17, 2012
It looks like he said “You bastard!” but he was genuinely surprised and that comment must be put in context… He actually was a great advocate for disability and deaf inclusion in the g
London 2012 Games so I can’t hold anything against him. And I’m sure her RH has heard a lot worse… 🙂
Semhar
December 17, 2012
I don’t think so, it’s something else… Look at his visible vocal chords by the throat, it’s not ‘bastard’ I doubt. But I could be wrong. What’s making me smile is David’s quiet smug, probably thinking ‘I got ya, bastard’… I guess men will be men, simple as.
Linda Richards
December 18, 2012
The comment is to someone who obviously knew about it but had kept ‘Mum’…. I recall a programme where Seb Coe did the same before… So it’s obviously in his vocab. Why doesn’t someone post on his FB or twitter him about TLC and then see what his response is?!!
John Cradden (@johncradden)
December 18, 2012
No I looked at it and I actually don’t think he did say ‘bastard’. I couldn’t say what he did say, though, but the mouth, jaw and lip movements don’t tally with ‘bastard’. IMHO
Linda Richards
December 18, 2012
Hi John … So what do think he is saying? We all know lip reading is an in exact science but let’s see what the possible interpretations are…. Lmr
Robert Mandara
December 18, 2012
As Linda says, what do you think he’s saying John? Considering the slow speed and the emphasis that he’s putting on the words, I think that the movements do tally. It’s not impossible that he’s saying something different but, if he is, what could it possibly be?
Antony
December 18, 2012
I agree with Tony. He is human and friendly for saying that with a smirking grin. I met him at Olympics show rehearsal and he was so grounded.
Someone must have played a trick or tease on him before he collect his “unexpected” award. No harm done!
Antony
December 18, 2012
Looks like Arse hole to me!
Antony
December 18, 2012
Anyone thinks he said “arse hole!” Look at David and Kate faces!
irishhabibi
December 18, 2012
I don’t think he’s saying bastard – but it looks like it could be. He’s not showing the lips moving inwards slightly before the b sound, and it’s difficult to see given he’s sideways, but I can’t see the d movement at the end – I think he’s saying a m word – martyr perhaps??
Editor
December 18, 2012
To be honest I’d be more disturbed by him saying “You martyr!” To someone than “You bastard!” 😉
irishhabibi
December 18, 2012
haha, I thought that too, but sometimes you just have to say what you see! 😉 I’m nearly sure it’s an m word…. unless he’s one of those people who don’t really open their mouths very much and genuinely is saying bastard!
Semhar
December 18, 2012
Maybe it would help if we knew who he was talking directly to…? Clare, Sue or Gary… or even somebody else?