Jonathan Ross Steps Down From Sci-Fi Awards After Twitter Backlash

Comedian steps down from Hugo Awards following Twitter backlash from sci-fi fans.

Jonathan Ross quit the BBC after a highly publicised scandal in 2008 involving actor Andrew Sachs. Reuters

UK broadcaster and comedian Jonathan Ross has stepped down as the host of the Hugo sci-fi Awards following a hate campaign by sci-fi fans on Twitter.

The organisers of LonCon3, the 2014 World Science Fiction convention, announced on Saturday that Ross, who is known for his outspoken sense of humour, would be presenting the leading sci-fi awards ceremony, which awards the best science fiction or fantasy works of the previous year.

The announcement provoked a barrage of criticism on Twitter, with many sci-fi fans questioning the decision to hire Ross due to his history of making controversial comments.

Jonathan Ross will be hosting the Hugo Awards. Interesting. And by 'interesting' I mean 'sure to be controversial'.
— Adam Whitehead (@Werthead) March 1, 2014

Troubled by @loncon3 decision to pick Jonathan Ross for Hugo host. Is he the kind of person we want to represent the British sf community?
— Jude Roberts (@tangendentalism) March 1, 2014

Twitter user Kate Keen tweeted: "LonCon3 have announced Jonathan Ross as Hugo Awards host. I'm seriously reconsidering my attendance". Another commented: "Having Jonathan Ross host the Hugo Awards guaranteed to divide SF fandom along existing faultlines. What were they thinking?"

Another user tweeted:

Pay £115 for #loncon3 and then find out @wossy is hosting the #HugoAwards. Good to know women and other minorities need not attend, then.
— Ale (@wasteofpaint) March 1, 2014

Ross replied that he would buy the ticket and "give it to someone less stupid".

However, after fruitlessly defending himself against accusations ranging from sexism to racism and misogyny, Ross announced he would step down on Twitter:

I have decided to withdraw from hosting the Hugo's @loncon3 in response to some who would rather I weren't there. Have a lovely convention.
— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) March 1, 2014

Ross is known to be a big fan of science-fiction, and has written and published comic books. His wife, Jane Goldman, is known for co-writing the screenplays of films such as X-Men: First Class, Kick-Ass and Stardust. Some fans have suggested that she might make the better host.

Ross is thought to have volunteered to host the Hugos without a fee out of his love for the genre, and the organisers clearly believed that having the famous chat-show host and presenter of the UK Comedy Awards would raise the profile of the genre.

In the wake of Ross's decision to withdraw, Twitter filled with messages of support and regret.