When Tom Gleeson took to the stage to accept his Gold Logie award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television, many assumed his address would be peppered with cheeky jokes and subtle digs. However, the comedian's acceptance speech took a different route. Instead of discussing his mock campaign and the subsequent backlash he received, he focused on political correctness, urging Australians to "lighten the f**k up".
WATCH HIS SPEECH BELOW
"I will say this though, there’s been a lot of concern that I’m turning this award into a joke, but what you're forgetting is I’m a comedian, I love a joke," the host of ABC's Hard Quiz began.
"This award has meant so many things to so many people. And that doesn’t cease to exist. In the past, it has represented trying to get diversity on screen and that’s fantastic but for me, I love jokes. I really think we should all just lighten the fuck up, I really do. My aim was to just have fun because it doesn't really matter."
The television host went on to poke fun at Grant Denyer before thanking those who voted for him, admitting the Gold Logie is a big win for comedy.
“It’s a shame this is the last Gold Logie," Gleeson says, referencing Grant's now-infamous comments that slammed the comedian's campaign, labelling it 'a joke'.
“According to Grant Denyer I’ve ruined the Logies and it's never going to happen again, but at least I won this all by myself."
WATCH: GRANT CALLS TOM OUT
"Just because all of you want it and I’ve got it don’t get angry at me," he poked. "I would like to take this as a win for comedy and taking the pick, and not giving a shit. Comedy for me is really important, in the past, it hasn’t even been a category and for me it should be a staple."
