‘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
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
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:
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.