In the world of famous clashes, few moments have remained as iconic as the Bee Gees’ dramatic walkout on Clive Anderson’s BBC chat show in 1996. What started as a seemingly lighthearted conversation quickly turned sour, with the brothers – Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb – deciding they’d had enough of Anderson’s “hurtful” “insults.”
On October 30, 1997, Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb sat down for a conversation with the host of BBC’s Clive Anderson All Talk show.
Gibb and his younger twin brothers Maurice and Robin – who died in 2003 and 2012 respectively – rose to international fame as the Bee Gees – often called THE band of the 70s.
The British-born brother’s interview with the former host of Whose Line is it Anyway? started off like any other late-night TV chat – witty, casual, and entertaining.
However, Anderson’s sarcasm and sharp quips didn’t sit well with the Gibb brothers.
Mickey Mouse
Just seconds into the interview, the presenter took a strike at the Barry’s “distinctive” high pitched vocal range, which at first he laughed off, responding in his far-reaching high-pitched falsetto voice: “Oh the falsetto.”
As the audience erupted in laughter, Anderson then asked, “Were you working with Mickey Mouse at the time?…Was it just the tight jeans?”
Attempting to disregard the comedian’s jibe, Barry, now 78, explained that their record producer suggested the men “scream,” which eventually developed into the singer’s jaw-dropping pitch.
Disco
Without skipping a beat, Anderson then addressed the band’s iconic soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, the 1977 hit disco film starring John Travolta, that earned the brothers five Grammy Awards.
Calling the 70s “the decade which fashion forgot,” Anderson said the brothers are to blame for “the tight trousers, the flare…”
While their contributions to disco were undeniable, and ubiquitous today, they had a career spanning decades, filled with songwriting, producing, and performing across multiple genres. Anderson’s relentless focus on their disco past seemed to diminish that.
Cutting the host off from completing his sentence, Barry reminded him that 90s fashion was inspired by 70s swag that at the time, even Travolta wore.
‘*hit writers’
But things escalated when Anderson took it a step further. He repeatedly interrupted the brothers and made quips that seemed to belittle their achievements.
“How do you know how to write hit songs? That’s it, you are hit writers. Well, we’re one letter shy…” Anderson remarked.
The presenter then went on to say that he thought the band were “sisters” rather than brothers, and that “his dog” loves their high-pitched music.
‘Tossers’
As the interview went on, things took a turn for the worse when Anderson quipped, “You’ll always be Les Tossers to me.”
Barry’s expression went from happy to dark and it became clear that Anderson had crossed a line.
Despite the awkward tension, the interview continued, with Anderson seeming to show genuine interest in the group’s upbringing and early music.
For a moment, it seemed like things might recover – until another offhand remark reignited the friction.
While discussing one of Barry’s early songs, Anderson casually joked, “I’ve forgotten that one.” Barry, visibly unimpressed, shot back with a sarcastic, “We’re getting on like a storm, aren’t we, Clive?” Then, with a pointed finality, he added, “In fact, I might just leave.”
Barry rose from his chair and before walking off, he turned around to Anderson and said, “you’re the tosser.”
Robin and Maurice swiftly followed behind and Anderson stayed in his seat, looking puzzled.
The moment was sealed in television history as one of the most uncomfortable celebrity walkouts ever aired.
‘Barrage of inferred insults’
Years after the incident, Barry reflected on the moment, making it clear that Anderson’s jokes weren’t just light teasing – they were personal, The Sun reports.
“Yes, I found the jokes hurtful,” he said of the famous clash with the host. “Interviews were often based on the negative, never based on the positive. And that’s one of the reasons we walked off Clive Anderson.”
“It wasn’t just humor. It was humiliation,” he added. “It was just a barrage of inferred insults…And we were fans of Clive Anderson so that made me sad. I just snapped.”
Poor pitch
Looking back, Anderson has admitted that he may have pushed too far. In various interviews, he has expressed regret, acknowledging that his style of humor didn’t land well with the Bee Gees.
“I think I got the pitch of that wrong,” he told the Independent in 2020.
The same year, speaking with the Spectator, the now 72-year-old said, “Yes, it was poor. But it was only meant as a joke.”
Next, referring to “hit writers” comment where he suggested there’s a letter missing, he added “That’s a bad line.”
While Anderson’s sarcastic wit made for great TV moments, this particular exchange showed that even seasoned celebrities have their limits. The Bee Gees were not just entertainers – they are legends. And perhaps that night, they felt more ridiculed than celebrated.
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