Gavin & Stacey in danger of being removed?

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 2mo

Some viewers call on the BBC to remove Gavin & Stacey from iPlayer, alleging that the comedy is racist.

The BBC has been called on to remove Gavin & Stacey from iPlayer by concerned viewers alleging that the show is racist.

Broadcasters have been re-evaluating the appropriateness of their content following the horrific death of George Floyd in the US last month - and the BBC has already pulled Little Britain due to its use of blackface.

Gavin & Stacey, which returned for a one-off Christmas special last year to huge ratings, has references to characters 'Chinese Alan', 'Japanese Margaret' and 'Seth, the black fella'.

In one scene in series two, Pete and Dawn are seen having an awkward threesome date with a much younger black man - and some viewers think that that is enough to have the show pulled.

One wrote on Twitter: "With this whole cancel culture I hope @bbc now removes #gavinandstacey from @bbciplayer, @netflix @BritBox_UK. The show is misogynistic, racist, homophobic and guilty of fat shaming."

Another tweeted co-creator James Corden directly to ask: "Wondering why none of your characters in #gavinandstacey were played by BAME actors? I can only recall one black character - threesome man with Pete and Dawn in one ep. His race was the subject of several gags. Not cool James!"

Others were baffled by the calls to remove the show, meanwhile, with one saying: "gavin and stacey ?????? now you've crossed the line"

Another added: "@JKCorden don't you dare apologise for Gavin and Stacey. If it was 100% pc it wouldn't resonate and depict real life. It's comedy and if people don't like it they can change channels."

In reply, the BBC said that it has no current plans to take Gavin & Stacey off iPlayer.