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Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang has addressed criticism of a skit that saw him accused of “mocking” Chappell Roan.

In recent weeks, singer Roan, who recently divided fans with her comments on the forthcoming US election, has made headlines for her candid statements about her sudden rise to fame, hitting out at intrusive behaviour from “creepy” fans who she says have been stalking and harassing her.

Hours before SNL aired its season 50 premiere on Saturday (28 September), Roan cancelled two scheduled appearances at All Things Go festival, telling her fans: “Things have gotten really overwhelming.”

Yang then comedically conflated Roan’s comments on fame, and her desire for boundaries, with another renowned figure who is currently going viral on social media: the pygmy hippo Moo Deng, who is residing at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi.

Dressed as Moo Deng, but hinting at Roan’s comments, Yang said on SNL’s Weekend Update segment: “For the past 10 weeks, I have been going nonstop. Running around, eating lettuce, trying to bite the water from a hose, and the response has been overwhelming.

He added, referencing a statement Roan shared on social media: “Reminder, women owe you nothing. When I am in my enclosure, tripping over stuff, biting my trainer’s knee, I am at work. That is the project. Do not yell my name, or expect a photo, just because I am your parasocial bestie, or because you appreciate my talent.”

When Jost pointed out that Moo Deng’s situation sounded similar to Roan’s, Yang, making it clear he was supporting the “Good luck, Babe!” singer, said: “By the way, leave her alone. Let her take as much time as she needs for her mental health. We both deserve patience and grace.”

Following the skit, Yang received criticism amid claims he was mocking Roan – something the comedian has taken umbrage with. Responding to the backlash on Instagram stories, Yang wrote: “Oh geez ‘mocks’? If my personal stance and the piece aren’t absolutely clear in terms of supporting [Roan] then there it is I guess.

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“Everything she has ever asked for has been reasonable and even then we can connect it to another story about boundaries or whatever.”

Roan will appear on SNL as the US sketch show’s musical guest on 2 November.

Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.

EASTENDERS

Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying. 

Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files. 

Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”. 

Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died. 

He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.

Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death. 

CORONATION STREET

Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.

When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.

Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.

In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.

Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).

Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.

This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.

As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.

Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.

Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.

Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.

Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.

Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.

Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.

Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.

The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.

EMMERDALE

Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.

He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.

Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.

Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash. 

Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died. 

HOLLYOAKS

Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.

Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.

Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.

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Dancing on Ice is due back on screens in a matter of months, with 12 new celebrity contestants being unveiled throughout the day.

Season 17 of ITV’s ice skating competition will return to screens in 2025. An exact date is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to air in January as has been the case for previous seasons, with contestants starting training as early as next week.

It is understood that Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern will host the forthcoming series together for a second time.

Deal or No Deal star Mulhern replaced Phillip Schofield last year when he quit the network after admitting an “unwise but not illegal affair” with a younger male colleague.

On Monday (30 September), ITV announced the cast for the new season with confirmed contestants already including reality TV stars and broadcasters.

See the rolling list of confirmed contestants for Dancing On Ice 2025 below…

Ferne McCann

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The first star confirmed to take to the ice next year is TV personality Ferne McCann. The 34-year-old is best known as a long-time cast member of The Only Way Is Essex.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she said: “I’m looking forward to it, it’s gonna be such a challenge, I’m such a huge fan of the show and with all the glitz and the glamour, it’s gonna be brilliant. I’ve got no idea [who my partner is]. I wanna be good, I am competitive…I’m looking forward to the challenge. We haven’t started training yet, we start next week.”

As well as TOWIE, McCann competed on 2015’s season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, placing third after runner-up George Shelley and winner Vicky Pattison. No stranger to TV competitions, she also featured on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and Celebs Go Dating.

McCann, who has two children, previously presented shows including First Time Mum and My Family and Me.

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Mollie Pearce

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Second to be announced on this years line-up is Traitors star Mollie Pearce

Speaking on Lorraine, the 22-year-old said: “It will be fun, I want to challenge myself, I’m ready for the challenge.” Pearc also said that she used to skate with her mother when she was younger.

The disability model and healthcare assistant rose to fame on the second series of BBC’s hit game show The Traitors. She made it to the final of the competition before she was betrayed by her friend Harry Clark, who went on to win the series.

In her work as a disability model for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Pearce has modelled different kinds of adaptive clothing, including swimwear and underwear that accommodates a stoma – such as the one she wears due to ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the large intestine triggering ulcers and debilitating pain.

Radio DJ Adele Roberts, a fellow stoma bag user who competed on Dancing On Ice last year, sent Pearce a message congratulating her on “the most incredible news” and thanking her for bringing awareness to stoma bags.

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Sir Steve Redgrave

Third on the list is Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave, who told This Morning: “It’s like going back to being an athlete again, I’ve been competing most of my life.”

The 62-year-old rower won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000, making him the most successful male rower in Olympic history. In 2011, he was awarded BBC Sports Personality of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Buckinghamshire-born athlete was made a CBE in 1997, and in 2001 was appointed a Knight Bachelor for his services to rowing.