Little Britain’s David Walliams and Matt Lucas apologise for blackface

‘It was wrong’: Little Britain’s David Walliams and Matt Lucas apologise for their use of blackface after show was pulled from streaming in wake of Black Lives Matter protests

  • David Walliams and Matt Lucas apologised for Little Britain’s portrayal of blackface in a joint statement
  • The pair reiterated that it’s something they have apologised for in the past
  • Earlier this week it was revealed that Little Britain was removed from streaming services including Netflix and Britbox
  • It came following concerns its use of blackface was no longer acceptable in wake of the Black Lives Matter Movement
  • Little Britain joins many shows including Gavin and Stacey and The Mighty Boosh facing calls to be removed from viewing
  • The show’s creators David and Matt said in 2017 they would ‘definitely do [the show] differently’ in today’s cultural landscape 
  • Lucas said it was ‘lazy’ for white people to ‘get a laugh just by playing black characters’  

Little Britain stars David Walliams and Matt Lucas have once again apologised for their use of blackface after the series was removed from streaming.

In a joint statement the pair insisted it was ‘wrong’ to portray characters of other races, but reiterated it’s something they have apologised for in the past.

Earlier this week Little Britain was removed from streaming services including Netflix and Britbox following concerns its use of blackface was no longer acceptable in wake of the Black Lives Matter Movement. 

We’re sorry! Little Britain stars David Walliams and Matt Lucas have once again apologised for their use of blackface after the series was removed from streaming (pictured 2019)

Apologising: In a joint statement the pair insisted it was 'wrong' to portray characters of other races, but reiterated it's something they have apologised for in the past

Apologising: In a joint statement the pair insisted it was ‘wrong’ to portray characters of other races, but reiterated it’s something they have apologised for in the past

In the statement posted to Twitter, David wrote: ‘Matt & I have both spoken publicly in recent years of our regret that we played characters of other races. Once again we want to make it clear that it was wrong & we are very sorry.’

Matt went onto share the same statement with fans, after Little Britain was removed from several streaming services

In an apparent reaction to the Black Lives Matter protests, Netflix pulled the series on Friday June 5, along with the pair’s other comedy Come Fly With Me. 

Gone: Little Britain was removed from streaming services including Netflix and Britbox following concerns its use of blackface was no longer acceptable

Gone: Little Britain was removed from streaming services including Netflix and Britbox following concerns its use of blackface was no longer acceptable

On Monday the BBC and BritBox both confirmed they had also decided to remove Little Britain saying ‘times have changed’ since the show first aired.

The shows include scenes where the comedians portray characters from different ethnic backgrounds with the use of make-up. 

Similarly, Bo’ Selecta, which impersonated black stars such as Craig David, Trisha Goddard and Michael Jackson has been removed from All 4 after creator Leigh Francis recently issued a tearful apology. It is, however, still available on Prime Video.

Controversy:

Controversy: 

It suggests an uncertain future for other popular comedy series which feature similar techniques, though many are still available to watch on streaming sites. 

Among them is the beloved comedy series Gavin and Stacey, which has faced calls from some fans to be removed from BBC iPlayer,  

Matt Lucas has previously said if he could go back and remake the previous series of Little Britain he would not play black characters.

In 2017 he told Big Issue: ‘If I could go back and do Little Britain again, I wouldn’t make those jokes about transvestites. I wouldn’t play black characters.

‘Basically, I wouldn’t make that show now. It would upset people. We made a more cruel kind of comedy than I’d do now.’

He added there had not been ‘bad intent there’ and they had simply been showing off about ‘what a diverse bunch of people we could play.’

In the interview Lucas said it was ‘lazy’ for white people to ‘get a laugh just by playing black characters’. 

David also said that the show would definitely make a comeback but acknowledged he would change things. 

He said: ‘I would say there will definitely be some more Little Britain coming. I can’t say when exactly but at the right time and place. It was fun coming back for radio because that’s where we started.’

He added that he would ‘definitely do it differently’ in today’s cultural landscape. 

The decision comes as Netflix was earlier this year said to have been in discussions with Lucas and Walliams about making a new series of Little Britain for the streaming giant, in a lucrative deal.

Huge demonstrations, many organised by the Black Lives Matter Group, have helped spark renewed debate on racism in recent weeks.

The protests intensified after George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25 for eight minutes and 46 seconds.

Could the axe swing on more of Britain’s favourite comedies?

League of Gentlemen

Papa Lazarou features in League of Gentlemen, which is still available to watch on Neflix and iPlayer

Papa Lazarou features in League of Gentlemen, which is still available to watch on Neflix and iPlayer

Steve Pemberton and Mark Gattis’ BBC comedy features a character called Papa Lazarou – a blacked-up ringmaster who calls everybody Dave. He collects spouses by forcing his way into women’s homes posing as a humble peg-seller, then talks gibberish at them until they hand over their wedding rings, at which point he says: ‘You’re my wife now!’ League of Gentlemen is still available to watch on both Netflix and BBC iPlayer. 

Bo’ Selecta

Leigh Francis said he was 'deeply sorry' for the way he impersonated stars such as Trisha Goddard

Leigh Francis said he was ‘deeply sorry’ for the way he impersonated stars such as Trisha Goddard

Comedian Leigh Francis tearfully apologised for impersonating black stars such as Craig David, Trisha Goddard and Michael Jackson on his programme. Talk show host Trisha said it ’emboldoned a lot of casual racism’ while popstar David insists it ruined his life. Bo’ Selecta is no longer on All 4 but remains on Prime Video.

The Simpsons 

Apu has come under fire for perpetuating racial stereotypes

Apu has come under fire for perpetuating racial stereotypes 

Hank Azaria announced earlier this year he will no longer voice Indian immigrant and Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu on The Simpsons after 30 years. The South Asian character has come under fire for perpetuating racial stereotypes. The Simpsons is broadcast regularly on Channel 4 and can be streamed on Disney+.

Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry and Paul 

Nelson Mandela was parodied in Harry and Paul's sketch show

Nelson Mandela was parodied in Harry and Paul’s sketch show

Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse faced criticism in their sketch series for their depiction of Nelson Mandela appearing on adverts selling various narcotics and promoting shoplifting.

Rising Damp 

The character of Rupert Rigsby has also been criticised, but creator Eric Chappell defended him by saying he ‘was not a racist or a bigot, but he was prejudiced and suspicious of strangers’. There were also jokes about Leonard Rossiter’s character having a black medical student as a tenant. Rising Damp is still available to watch via Prime and ITV Hub. 

Facejacker

The prank call show often featured accents

The prank call show often featured accents

Channel 4’s show about prank calling often featured accents from ethnic minorities. Star Kayvan Novak previously said: ‘There’s a weird thing going on at the moment where the more extreme politics and people’s opinions get, the more it seems that comedy on TV is all about playing safe and not offending anyone, when it needs to hold up a mirror and go ‘this is what’s going on now’.’

Only Fools and Horses

Even perhaps Britain’s most beloved sitcom of all time has had to edit old episodes to remove politically incorrect dialogue, such as an episode where Del told a child to ‘pop down to the P**i shop’ – a line no longer broadcast in repeats.

The Two Ronnies

Another one of the nation’s all-time favourites. Many have felt uncomfortable about a sketch titled ‘The Sheikh in the Grocery Store’, which features Ronnie Corbett wearing dark makeup and an Arabic keffiyeh, mispronouncing the names of items on his shopping list. The Archway School in Gloucestershire had to apologise for showing the clip to parents after complaints were made. 

Fantasy Football League

David Baddiel as Jason Lee

David Baddiel as Jason Lee

Ex-Nottingham Forest star Jason Lee, who was often a target of ridicule on the 90s show, said David Baddiel’s depiction of him was ‘a form of bullying’.

The Mighty Boosh

Noel Fielding as 'The Spirit of Jazz'

Noel Fielding as ‘The Spirit of Jazz’

 Noel Fielding portrays ‘The Spirit of Jazz’ – a black, dreadlocked character in the BBC series, sparking much discussion over racism. Fielding has also been in hot water after a picture emerged of him painted black while dressed as tennis star Bjorn Borg.