Head says we should ‘evolve and learn’ after show row

LITTLE BRITAIN STAR ADDRESSES BLACKFACE CONTROVERSY

ANTHONY HEAD has said we should look to “evolve and learn” following the row about the use of blackface in Little Britain.

The actor, who played the Prime Minister in the comedy, said he thinks people will do things “differently” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests.

The series has come under fire recently because of the use of blackface make-up in some sketches.

It was removed from Netflix, BBC iPlayer and BritBox in the wake of

Black Lives Matter protests around the world following the death of George Floyd in the US.

Asked about the row over Little Britain, Head, inset, told ITV’s Lorraine: “Hopefully we are always looking to evolve and learn.

“I think, before we respond to anything or do anything, we should always step back and say ‘Is it it fair? Is it necessary? Is it kind?,’ and I think people will do things differently from now on.

“This whole period of history through Covid and the protests has made people reflect and I’m sure many people will do things differently from now on.”

Matt Lucas and David Walliams issued apologies last week for playing characters of other races in the series.

Lucas and Walliams posted similar statements on Twitter on Saturday evening.

Walliams said: “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.”

In the series, Walliams sported black make-up and a large afro wig to play the overweight black woman Desiree DeVere. Lucas also used blackface to play Pastor Jesse King, who said he was “from the ghetto” and spoke in tongues to cure the sick.

In the wake of recent Black Lives Matter protests, stars including Ant and Dec and Leigh Francis have apologised for portraying black people on TV.

Lucas previously said he has regrets about Little Britain, describing the comedy as “cruel”.

He told The 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.”