The Project’s Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris apologise over X-rated Jesus joke

Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris have apologised for a crude joke about Jesus on last night’s episode of The Project.

Queer comedian Reuben Kaye on Tuesday sparked uproar with his X-rated gag, which members of panel laughed along with.

‘I love Jesus, I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more,’ Kaye said.

Aly, who reacted awkwardly to the quip, spoke somberly to camera on Wednesday alongside Harris. 

‘During an interview last night our guest told a joke which we know was deeply and needlessly offensive to many of you,’ Aly said.

‘We want to acknowledge the particular offense that caused our Muslim viewers but especially our Christian viewers. 

‘Obviously I understand just how profound that offense was.’

Harris, who burst out laughing after the joke, also joined the grovelling apology. 

‘Live TV is unpredictable and when this happened in the last few moments of last night’s show, it took us all by surprise, there wasn’t a lot of time to react in any sort of considered way,’ she said.

Aly insisted it took the program’s producers and panel by surprise. 

‘It’s fair to say we weren’t expecting a comment like that to be made,’ he said.

‘We wouldn’t normally broadcast a comment like that. We acknowledge the offense it caused and more than that we’re sorry.’

The joke was met with a major backlash online.

‘What a disgusting joke about Jesus, and The Project team just giggled and did not say anything. So offended by your inaction,’ one person wrote.

Another said: ‘Actually a filthy joke about Jesus. I’m all for being who you wanna be, but that’s too far.’

A third said: ‘Interesting to see Waleed’s reaction to that joke! He knew it was inappropriate! Project is so desperate these days!’ 

But others thought the X-rated gag was hilarious.

Queer comedian and Reuben Kaye has left The Project panel stunned after an X-rated joke about Jesus on air, with Waleed Aly left utterly speechless

The panel were left lost for words after the joke about Jesus being nailed to a cross as Sarah Harris couldn’t help but laugh 

One persons said: ‘I can’t believe Rueben Kaye just said that on national, prime-time television. What an icon!’

Others said: ‘I nearly p****** myself’ and ‘That was gold, the best thing on The Project in months!’

Kaye is known for his crude humour which he combines with singing and all-around showmanship in his comedy shows.

He embarking on a national tour set to feature an array of jokes centered around touchy subjects sexuality and racism.

‘I want to poke the bear,’ he said.

‘I’m so thickly spread around this country that I might as well be systemic racism.’