Brian Moore's on-air 'bulimia' comment triggers storm on Twitter

5:21pm, 31 October 2020

BBC commentator Brian Moore has upset a great deal of people on Twitter after light-heartedly questioning if an Irish player vomiting on the pitch was the result of ‘bulimia’.

Ireland and France were fighting it out to challenge England for the Six Nations Championship in the final game of the elongated 2020 season.

Around the 20-minute mark cameras showed Irish loosehead Cian Healy vomiting on the pitch, possibly as the result of a head collision. Minutes later he would be removed for a HIA, which he ultimately passed.

While footage of Healy rolled, former England hooker Moore, who has carved out a career as an outspoken rugby pundit, columnist and commentator since his retirement in the 1990s, suggested the vomiting may have been the result of bulimia.

While clearly intended as a light-hearted comment, it was enough to trigger Twitter. “That was a stupid comment by Brian Moore. Disappointing,” wrote one poster.

That was a stupid comment by Brian Moore. Disappointing. #FRAvIRE
— Darren Waters (@darrenwaters) October 31, 2020

“Brian Moore has just made a joke about bulimia live on BBC while commenting on #FRAvIRE. Disgraceful behaviour” wrote one outraged Tweeter.

Brian Moore has just made a joke about bulimia live on BBC while commenting on #FRAvIRE
Disgraceful behaviour
— CONOR (@conor_patton) October 31, 2020

“Please tell me the BBC Sport commentator did not just make a “bulimia” joke because Cian Healy was making himself sick on pitch?” said another.

Please tell me the @BBCSport commentator did not just make a “bulimia” joke because Cian Healy was making himself sick on pitch??? #SixNations #FRAvIRE
— Mulia Jorris (@tafkag97) October 31, 2020

There were many more in that vein.

Thought I'd heard it all, and then I heard possible #concussion being called bulimia
— Dr Willie Stewart (@WillStewNeuro) October 31, 2020

The bulimia joke should be the nail in the coffin… https://t.co/rS0pKWWoMp
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) October 31, 2020

Disappointed that @BBCOne didn’t take the opportunity to apologise for Brian Moore’s stupid comment. Saying nothing is an acceptance of behaviour #SixNations #FRAvIRE
— Hannah McFarland (@HMcF92) October 31, 2020

Still reeling from Brian Moore saying Bulimia when Healy was spitting in the first half of #FravIre. Complained to BBC with thoughts I'm not confident sharing here. But I do want to show solidarity with anyone suffering or who has suffered with this serious and terrible illness.
— Kirsty Nutt (@squeakingsorex) October 31, 2020

Dear @BBCSport it is not appropriate for Brian Moore to make a joke about bulimia when he’s commentating on a game on your channels pic.twitter.com/8yL6zsuZlQ
— Andrea (@ValerieBarlow6) October 31, 2020

Just Brian Moore making a joke about bulimia on the commentary of the game. Nothing to see here. #FRAvIRE pic.twitter.com/AEd1tjo4WV
— Issie (@IssieAtch) October 31, 2020

@Nigelrefowens, did you hear @brianmoore666 making a 'joke' about bulimia on the @BBCSport Six Nations coverage? As a sufferer myself, I think it's important that he and the BBC should acknowledge that it was inappropriate.
— 5000COLO (@5000Colo) October 31, 2020

@brianmoore666 hope you get sacked after your horrible bulimia joke at the rugby tonight #sacked #bbc #bbcrugby
— Gordon Rowland (@gordieboy67) October 31, 2020

If nothing is said @BBCSport @BBCWatchdog about that bulimia comment then the BBC is simply condoning it! Cannot believe that no apology has been made. If a swear word is picked up then you get an immediate apology, a terrible comment on an illness and mental health….nothing!
— Badger (@Badger29659331) October 31, 2020

Recently former England cricketer Freddy Flintoff revealed that he had secretly battled bulimia during his career as a professional cricketer.

Bulimia is described as an emotional disorder characterized by a distorted body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight, in which bouts of extreme overeating are followed by fasting or self-induced vomiting or purging.