Controversial episode pulled

Channel 4 pulled the last episode of its animated series Full English from its schedules last night.

The episode, entitled, My Big Fat Gypsy Knightmare, was said to have been dropped for being controversial. On the show’s official Facebook page, producers claimed Channel 4 were afraid of falling foul of the law or of broadcast watchdogs Ofcom.

The episode – which the makers claimed was ‘the best in the series’ – was replaced with a rerun of Alan Carr: Chatty Man with guests including Harry Hill.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: ‘We took an editorial decision not to show this. Chatty Man took the slot so that we could show again the topical programme, Is Our Weather Getting Worse, in its place.’

On their Facebook page, producers urged fans to email Channel 4 in protest and said: ‘We'll try and find a way to get the episode out there, and will also try and post clips from it over the coming weeks, so people can enjoy some of the filthiest and most offensive ep to date...’

They later added: ‘To clarify... we're not officially cancelled. Decision won't be made until end of January.’

The show has already caused some controversy, with the Daily Mail asking: ‘Is this the sickest cartoon ever?’ after an earlier episode showed the ghosts of Princess Diana and Jade Goody fighting.

The plot of last night’s dropped was that moody Goth Eve – as voiced by Daisy Haggard – rebelled against her parents by eloping to marry a gypsy boy.

Channel 4 has also faced criticism for My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, and in October was censured by the Advertising Standards Authority for ‘endorsing negative stereotypes’ in its promotion of the reality show.

At the time, Yvonne MacNamara, chief executive of the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain. said: ‘As a result of this decision, Channel 4's Big Fat Gypsy brand has been held up to be morally bankrupt. Channel 4 should hang its corporate head in shame.’

Published: 18 Dec 2012