Ben Leo blasts news reporter over ‘all white men’ complaint ahead of Nasa Artemis II launch: 'Put a sock in it!'

Science correspondent Thomas Moore pointed out that the Artemis II crew was more diverse than the crew that flew to space over five decades ago.

However, in doing so, he irked a number of viewers at home, who accused Mr Moore of shoehorning that fact into the coverage rather needlessly.

Ben was among Mr Moore's and Sky's critics. He fumed on X: “'Apollo was all white men. This is not.' What is this? Who does this appeal to?

"They are courageous heroes of humanity. No one, not even them, cares about skin colour or gender. Just put a sock in it.”

Ben's post sparked a flood of comments from users pointing out that those involved in space missions were chosen for their expertise, not their appearance.

One viewer commented: “The main mathematicians who got men into space were black… All four of those astronauts are up there for their expertise, not their colour or gender."

"Self-hating white gullible idiots can’t even see they are doing self-harm," another said while a third penned: "I'm sure you're correct that the crew don't care." (sic)

Comedian John Cleese also weighed in with a tongue-in-cheek remark. He wrote: “That's what I really dislike about the battle of Agincourt. The total lack of diversity, especially among the archers.”

The Artemis II mission, which launched from Florida on Wednesday night, marks Nasa's first crewed Moon mission in more than 50 years.

Four astronauts are aboard the Orion spacecraft for a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.

“Apollo was all white men. This is not.”

What is this? Who does this appeal to? They are courageous heroes of humanity.

No one, not even them, cares about skin colour or gender. Just put a sock in it. https://t.co/Us7w09D7qY

— Ben Leo (@benleo444) April 2, 2026

The crew includes mission commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen, who becomes the first non-American to venture beyond low Earth orbit.

Addressing the nation before lift-off, Nasa chief Jared Isaacman confirmed the crew was “safe, secure and in great spirits.”

Meanwhile, Mr Hansen said: “We’re going for all humanity."

The mission has received widespread attention, with crowds gathering at Cape Canaveral to witness the launch firsthand.

Ben was among them, bringing his son Jude to experience the historic event.

Speaking after the launch, the People's Channel fan-favourite said: “It was like a rolling stream of thunder which gripped your body."

President Donald Trump also praised the astronauts’ efforts, writing on Truth Social: “God bless those four unbelievable astronauts. It’s amazing what they will accomplish going further than anyone has before.”

The Artemis II mission aims to test Orion’s life-support, propulsion, power, and navigation systems in deep space, paving the way for a potential return to the lunar surface later this decade.

Its crew will not land on the Moon but will travel 4,700 miles past the Moon’s far side, setting a new record for human spaceflight distance.

Nasa has confirmed that all major milestones so far have been successfully completed, including core stage separation, solar array deployment, and entry into low Earth orbit.

The space agency continues to provide live updates as Artemis II progresses toward its lunar flyby.