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.”
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Aljaz Skorjanec has said the show’s producers have handled the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic “incredibly well”.
The professional dancer said he was sure they would find the best way forward for the BBC show, and its cast and crew.
In a joint interview with his wife Janette Manrara, he told Hello! magazine: “We can’t wait to get back on the Strictly floor.
“We really hope the season is going to move forward because we all love doing it. Everything that has been thrown at the producers so far has been handled so incredibly well so I’m sure that they’re going to find a way that’s best for the show and the individuals doing it.”
Strictly is due to return to our screens in the autumn.
Manrara said: “We have always felt lucky and blessed to get to do what we love together.
“It really is a dream to dance with someone you love and I have the ideal partner in Aljaz, especially in these strange circumstances.”
Manrara, 36, and Skorjanec, 30, married in 2017.