Entertainment

US TV star apologises to Whoopi Goldberg for on-air joke about her weight

Shark Tank judge Barbara Corcoran was accused of body-shaming the Oscar-winning actress.
Shark Tank judge Barbara Corcoran was accused of body-shaming the Oscar-winning actress. Shark Tank judge Barbara Corcoran was accused of body-shaming the Oscar-winning actress.

A US TV star has apologised after making an on-air joke about Whoopi Goldberg’s weight.

Barbara Corcoran, a judge on the Dragons Den-style Shark Tank, joined the Oscar-winning actress on chat show The View when discussion turned to size-inclusive jeans.

Sister Act star Goldberg, 65, said she was keen to try them before she jokingly asked if they would fit her body post-pandemic.

Businesswoman Corcoran, 72, said: “When you get finished with those jeans, and decide you don’t like them, give them to me. I’m going to make two pairs.”

The View host Goldberg appeared visibly unamused before her co-star Ana Navarro made a jab at Corcoran’s floral dress.

“Whoopi, let me just tell you something,” she said. “Both Sara Haines and Jill Biden wore that dress already on TV.”

Following a backlash online and accusations she had “body-shamed” Goldberg, Corcoran shared a video apology.

“I just came back from The View and saw my old friend Whoopi,” the entrepreneur said.

“She has a phenomenal sense of humour and I’ve known Whoopi for years. I made a joke at Whoopi’s expense, which I now realise wasn’t funny.

“For anyone who I may have offended unintentionally, I just want to say I really am very sorry.”