Josh Howie rages at 'shameful' comedy industry over Graham Linehan cancellation amid writer's US congress hearing

Mr Linehan, 57, told the US House Judiciary subcommittee in Washington that speaking out on gender issues had cost him his career, marriage, and friendships.

He highlighted his September detention at Heathrow, where five armed officers questioned him over online posts critical of aspects of transgender ideology.

Scotland Yard later dropped the investigation, but Mr Linehan has vowed to hold the police accountable.

Responding to a video of Mr Linehan's speech, Mr Howie posted on X: “The way the comedy industry treated one of its brightest lights should fill it with utter shame. It won’t, though, because it’s still totally captured by moronic cowards."

During his testimony, Mr Linehan described how modern censorship often occurs without direct government involvement, with institutions enforcing ideological conformity.

“Employers fire workers for protected speech, banks close accounts, publishers drop authors, platforms suspend users. The government’s hands stay clean. In Britain, we have discovered that you can have formal free speech and no free speech at all,” he said.

The writer warned of the personal and societal consequences of gender ideology, saying: “Single sex spaces are essential for women’s privacy, dignity and safety. Children should not undergo experimental medical treatment that ravages their health and shortens their lives."

He continued: "Women have a right to a fair sport. These were not extreme positions, but for holding them, I became the target of harassment campaigns that cost me my career, my marriage, and eventually drove me from my homeland for a decade.”

Mr Linehan urged lawmakers to take concrete action, including pressuring the British and Irish governments and introducing stronger protections for those silenced by institutional retaliation.

“People from all walks of life are being silenced by the institutions that license and employ them. We need new whistleblower protections for the digital age. If government will not defend dissenters from institutional retaliation and mob rule, then what is the First Amendment for?” he told the congress.

The way the comedy industry treated one of its brightest lights should fill it with utter shame. It won’t though because it’s still totally captured by moronic cowards. https://t.co/4iR5j9lDbd

— Josh Howie (@joshxhowie) February 5, 2026

Fans of the GB News presenter were quick to flood his comments with support for Mr Linehan.

"He's a legend, and a very brave one," one wrote, while another added: "Graham is amazing in his talent, integrity and fortitude. They are jealous."

"Well said. I couldn't agree more," penned another, while a fourth fan referred to the comedy community as "Militant cowards...."

However, not everyone agreed with Mr Howie and Mr Linehan.

One critic commented: "So just to sum his wife/kids and almost every single person he knew have ostracised him but he's the one in the right. Even those who agree with his stance say the way he conducts himself if questionable. He's an odious man. He needs help. Hope he seeks it out someday." Another called the comedian a "bully".

This isn’t the first time Mr Howie has used his platform on GB News and social media to challenge what he perceives as attempts to stifle free speech or promote a “woke” agenda.

In January 2025, he sparked debate after commenting “That includes paedos” while discussing a US bishop’s sermon on LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Critics, including the Good Law Project and West London Queer Project, condemned his remarks, but Mr Howie argued on X that a “seven-second clip” had misrepresented his words.

He later clarified his position on Free Speech Nation, standing by his right to challenge contentious topics.

When the Good Law Project launched a petition against him, Mr Howie and GB News described it as a “deliberate campaign” to silence legitimate debate, accusing the group of partisan tactics.