Joe Lycett shreds £10,000 in livestream over David Beckham’s World Cup deal

Lycett had given Beckham an ultimatum

Joe Lycett has shredded £10,000 on a livestream after David Beckham refused to end his controversial deal and remain an ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar. The comedian had sent a message to Beckham at the start of the week to give the "gay icon" and former Three Lions skipper an ultimatum following his decision to accept a £10m deal to become a World Cup ambassador. In the video he reminded Beckham of the human rights atrocities in the Gulf State. He said: "Qatar was voted one of the worst places in the world to be gay. Homosexuality is illegal, punishable by imprisonment and if you're Muslim, possibly even death." https://twitter.com/joelycett/status/1591767179707432960 Lycett pledged to donate the £10,000 to charities supporting queer people in football however if Beckham didn't, he would shred the money.

"If you end your relationship with Qatar, I'll donate this 10 grand of my own money,' he said, sliding the cash in front of him. "That's a grand for every million you're reportedly getting, to charities that support Queer people in football.

"However if you do not, at midday next Sunday I will throw this money into a shredder, just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup, and stream it live on a website I've registered called benderslikebeckham.com."

On Saturday Lycett shared a picture of the money, warning Beckham that he had 24 hours to reverse his decision. After not hearing anything back, the Birmingham-born comedian stuck to his word and shredded every penny ahead of the tournament's opening ceremony tonight (Sunday November 20). https://twitter.com/joelycett/status/1594302742847426562 It is illegal to shred or deface money in the UK, but Lycett said he would come off "more lightly" than if he were a gay man in Qatar. Related links:

• Joe Lycett reveals email to David Beckham following Qatar ambassador backlash
• Joe Lycett gives David Beckham a £10,000 ultimatum over Qatar World Cup
• Judge Rinder slams David Beckham for putting ‘money before morals’ over Qatar World Cup