What did Dan Stevens say on The One Show? Actor’s Boris Johnson comment explained - and what is Gaslit about

The actor Dan Stevens has been dubbed a “legend” after branding Boris Johnson a “criminal” while appearing as a guest on The One Show.

When featuring on the BBC One show, Stevens seized his opportunity to criticise the Prime Minister following recent developments in the Partygate scandal.

He was asked by presenter Alex Jones to describe the plot of his upcoming series Gaslit.

But instead of describing that show, he said:“What you’ve got is a criminal for a leader who is wrapped in a messy war, embroiled in a stupid scandal and surrounded by ambitious idiots and really should resign”.

The presenters were nodding in interest until Stevens finished: “No I’m sorry that’s the intro to Boris Johnson”.

Greeted with an audible gasp and laughter in the studio, Jones gave a disapproving smirk while her co-host Jermaine Jenas tried to conceal giggles.

The clip, originally shared by TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan on Twitter, quickly went viral across social media, well surpassing the number of viewers that tuned into the show live.

One Twitter user wrote: “Sometimes, heroes appear where you least expect to find them! Dan Stevens, you absolute legend!”

Who is Dan Stevens?

Dan Stevens, sporting the colours of the Ukrainian flag in his appearance, has been widely praised online for his frank comments.

Stevens, who rose to fame for his role in Downton Abbey, was on The One Show to promote new series Gaslit, which portrays the untold stories of the 1970s Watergate scandal and stars the likes of Julia Roberts and Sean Penn.

The 39-year-old actor has also starred in Disney's live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast and played Charles Dickens in the biographical drama The Man Who Invented Christmas.

What is Gaslit about?

Gaslit is an upcoming political thriller about the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, which famously led to the downfall of US President Richard Nixon.

The drama series is actually based on the first series of the documentary podcast Slow Burn, and will focus on the story of Martha Mitchell, played by Julia Roberts.

She was an Arkansan socialite and wife to Nixon’s loyal Attorney General, John N. Mitchell, played by Sean Penn, and was the first person to publicly call out Nixon’s involvement in Watergate.

Stevens plays John Dean, Nixon’s White House Counsel.

Gaslit will be available to stream on Starz Play from 24 April.