BBC’s classic comedy Little Britain is set for a return to TV screens to mark its 20th anniversary. However, in keeping with changing tastes since it first aired, it has been edited in order to meet current guidelines.
The David Walliams and Matt Lucas creation ran for three series and also spawned an American spin-off and a Christmas special Little Britain Abroad, but in recent years it has faced criticism that it is racist and offensive. This led to it being removed from the BBC iPlayer, Britbox and Netflix in 2021.
Despite this, viewers will once again be able to tune in on TV to enjoy the award-winning antics of characters such as Vicky Pollard and Lou and Andy as That’s TV will be broadcasting all three seasons – albeit in edited form. The first episode launches on Saturday on the channel, which is available on all major TV platforms.
“There is a great tradition of British TV comedy being used to expose and ridicule prejudice. I am absolutely clear that Little Britain sets out to lampoon all forms of prejudice, the clue being in the name,” said That TV’s Kris Vaiksalu
“We carefully consider the expectations of our audience and the episodes of Little Britain we are showing have been edited in collaboration with Matt and David. We’ve studied Ofcom’s research and are confident that all of our shows this Christmas comply with all Ofcom rules.”
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Little Britain launched on BBC Three in 2003 and was an immediate ratings success. It went on to secure over nine million viewers following its move to BBC One in 2005.
David and Matt both frequently played characters of different races, often colouring their skin to do so. They also portrayed characters with disabilities and other marginalised groups, which has since caused consternation.
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, David released a statement expressing regret about some of the characters in the show.
“Matt and 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 and we are very sorry,” he said.
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Matt has also spoken about their comedy creations for the show in a 2017 interview with 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,” he admitted.
“We made a more cruel kind of comedy than I’d do now. Society has moved on a lot since then and my own views have evolved.”
The first episode of Little Britain launches this Saturday at 9.05pm on That’s TV which is available on all major TV platforms (Freeview, Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media).
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