BBC say Gavin and Stacey will stay on iPlayer after debate over ‘offensive’ content

THE BBC say Gavin & Stacey will remain on the iPlayer after a debate over supposedly offensive content.

Following the Black Lives Matter protests, old TV shows have come under scrutiny – with The Mighty Boosh, Little Britain and Come Fly With Me all getting removed from the BBC iPlayer, Netflix and BritBox.

But the BBC have now said that despite comments from some fans, they are standing by old episodes of Gavin & Stacey written by James Corden and Ruth Jones.

The sitcom set in South Wales and Essex features a character called ‘Chinese Alan’ and a man described as ‘Seth, the black fella’.

In the light of the removal of Little Britain, some viewers called for the show to be pulled.

But despite growing pressure, a BBC spokesperson said: “This change only affects Little Britain”.

The two David Walliams and Matt Lucas comedies in particular faced huge criticism this week for their use of blackface characters.

Meanwhile, Ant and Dec have apologised for previously “impersonating people of colour” on Saturday Night Takeaway.

Many have defended Gavin and Stacey, but one viewer, writing on Twitter, said: “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 simply wrote: “If we’re doing away with Little Britain can we also get rid of Gavin and Stacey?”

Messaging James Corden directly, one even asked: “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!”

This is not the first time Gavin and Stacey has faced criticism.

Last December, the BBC was forced to defend the show’s hotly anticipated Christmas special after they failed to remove the word ‘faggot’ from the song, Fairytale Of New York.

Around 900 people complained to the television watchdog Ofcom.

Fans defending Gavin and Stacey also took to Twitter to voice their opinion.

One tweeted: “Gavin and stacey isn’t really offensive.”

Another added: “Dear Head of the Softies Is Gavin and Stacey, ok?? They say Chinese Alan..”

A third wrote: “Inbetweeners been took off air? next it’ll be gavin and stacey or something. that will cause serious protest.”