Frankie Boyle slams "sellout" Mark Watson

Frankie Boyle has launched a stinging attack on fellow comedian Mark Watson.

Boyle made the comments in response to one of Watson's old blog posts, in which the We Need Answers host debated the merits of a joke made by Boyle about Down's Syndrome in front of a mother of a 5-year-old who suffered from the condition.

In his original post, Watson wrote: "Pretty much since I became a comedian, I've wondered whether comedy awards itself too much licence by playing the hey-calm-down-we're-just-joking-here card, and thus making anyone who objects feel like… well, like a Daily Mail reader.

"I've seen scores and scores of gags at the expense of fat people, gay people, disabled people, women, pretty much every minority group other than 45-year-old, slightly paunchy stand-ups in suit jackets.

"A lot of them are just jokes, and everyone (including the victims) finds them funny, and it's cool. Or, the victims aren't there, so it's sort of cool. But all these jokes do contribute to keeping certain stereotypes nailed in place."

In response, Boyle recently posted on his Twitter account: "Amused to be sent an attack on my work by Mark Watson. A sellout who takes money to advertise booze to his teenage fans. A c**t."

Boyle also posted on the original blog message, commenting: "Hi Mark. Just saw this. Amused to see moral grandstanding from a notorious sellout. You are commenting on a joke you didn't see, and don't quote, so presumably you don't even know what it was? Amazing.

"I'd hate for you to pass through life with no self-awareness, so let me point something out. You built up a certain indie credibility over the years with your stand-up. You then sold that credibility to sell cider. Why don't you leave the discussions of jokes to people who have heard them and stick to pushing booze on teenagers? In a country of alcoholics."

Watson has since said: "It was many months ago and I didn't intend it as an attack. It's just a blog. Didn't imagine Frankie would care."

Watson also announced that his decision to take a break from Twitter this weekend was "not because of Frankiegate".

Boyle and Watson previously appeared together on numerous episodes of BBC panel show Mock The Week.