I don't think it was all that bad.
I must admit I laghed when I read the comment (even though it was a shocked laugh, but then again I like pannel shows like News For You & Buzzcocks that are always taking the piss
).
A bit cheeky perhaps, a bit naughty, but nothing too offensive, perhaps just an affectionate dig at an old friend.
Especially since nobody knows
how it was said.
If it was said with any venom, I agree that it wasn't a nice thing to say, but i'm not going to get overheated about an attack that might well not have been an attack.