Matt Lucas has responded after allegations surfaced he ‘mocked’ a British Sign Language interpreter at last year’s British Book Awards, with the comedian urging fans to “make up their own minds”
Matt Lucas has addressed claims of “mocking” made against him.
The “Little Britain” star has clapped back following accusations from BBC radio pundit Nihal Arthanayake, who claimed that the comedian had poked fun at a British Sign Language interpreter during last year’s British Book Awards.
The comedic legend urged his fans to “make up their own minds” and took to his Instagram Stories. The footage shows Matt cracking up the crowd as he steps up to dish out an award before noticing the pair of BSL interpreters.
He then roped them into signing one of his jokes. He quipped: “Hello, I have a confession to make. I’m not actually a British sign language interpreter at all. I’m actually a convicted criminal. I know nothing of sign language, I’m literally just standing here waving my arms around willy nilly. Go on, do willy nilly again.”
The Great British Bake Off star is facing accusations from Nihal, who claimed he “took the p***” out of the interpreters. Nihal recounted: “I just wanted to tell a little story from the British Book Awards last year, where Matt Lucas went on stage and decided that it would be funny, in his mind, to take the p*** out of the British sign language interpreter that was on stage.
“It felt so awkward to be in the audience. Anyway, I was giving the award out afterwards, so I went on stage and the first thing I said was to the British sign language interpreter: ‘How do you sign Matt Lucas is a w*****?'” reports the Express.
Matt then encouraged his fans to form their own opinions, saying: “Some reports have come out today about an improvised comedy bit I did at the British Book Awards in May 2024. It was just some light-hearted entertainment. I’m sharing the bit so you can all decide for yourselves.”
The controversy emerged after Lucas issued a public apology to Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, following criticism over a social media post he made. The comedian re-shared a photo of the 21 year old in a pink tracksuit with her blonde hair tied up, likening her to his Little Britain character Vicky Pollard.
Brown, who has spoken out about her struggles with online harassment, later addressed Lucas directly in an emotional video discussing her treatment in the media. “This is bullying,” Millie said of the post, condemning the focus on her “face, [her] body, [her] choices”.
Lucas, seeming unaware of the hurt his comments had caused, responded with a statement expressing remorse: “Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain. There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard […]”
He then pointed out the similarities in their outfits before writing: “I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that I apologise.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
