{"id":992,"date":"2025-03-05T12:41:19","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T13:41:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/?p=992"},"modified":"2025-03-06T18:26:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T18:26:30","slug":"matt-lucas-responds-after-bbc-star-slams-his-wer-behaviour-towards-sign-language-interpreter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/05\/matt-lucas-responds-after-bbc-star-slams-his-wer-behaviour-towards-sign-language-interpreter\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt Lucas responds after BBC star slams his\u00a0\u2018w***er\u2019 behaviour towards sign language interpreter"},"content":{"rendered":"
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class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder\">\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\twindow.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tif (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\treturn;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar player = data.detail.carousel.el_;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.removeChild(placeholder);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Matt Lucas has spoken out after <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/bbc-2\/\">BBC<\/a> radio presenter Nihal Arthanayake alleged that he \u2018took the p**s\u2019 out of a British sign language interpreter.<\/p>\n<p>The DJ, 53, took to <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/social-media\/\">social media<\/a> after Matt<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/03\/04\/mortified-matt-lucas-apologises-millie-bobby-brown-little-britain-comparison-22663283\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> was forced to apologise<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/stranger-things\/\">Stranger Things<\/a> actress <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/millie-bobby-brown\/\">Millie Bobby Brown<\/a> for comparing her to his Little Britain character Vicky Pollard.<\/p>\n<p>Taking to Instagram, Matt shared a video of the incident in question, in which he jokingly asks the interpreters on stage to sign: \u2018Hello, I have a confession to make. I\u2019m not actually a British sign language interpreter at all. I\u2019m actually a convicted criminal. I know nothing of  sign language, I\u2019m literally just standing here waving my arms around willy nilly. Go on, do willy nilly again.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>The former Great British Bake Off judge then added a note reading: \u2018Some stories have appeared today concerning an improvised comedy routine I did at the British Book Awards in May 2024. It was some light-hearted fun. I\u2019m posting the routine so you can all make up your own minds.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Nihal had shared with his 46,000 Instagram followers: \u2018After watching Millie Bobby Brown name and shame people who she feels have been bullying her on social media and in the press, one of the names she mentioned was Matt Lucas. So, I thought I would tell you a little story about Matt Lucas.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>He goes on to claim that during the 2024 British Book Awards Matt, 51, \u2018took the p**s\u2019 out of the British sign language interpreter while he was on stage.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"363\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22671122 lazyload\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SEC_242596113-ebf4.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>BBC star Nihal Arthanayake branded Matt Lucas a ‘w***er’ over his offensive behaviour towards sign language interpreter (Picture: REX \/ @therealnihal)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"968\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22652526 lazyload\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Shaw\/Shutterstock (15173198bn) Nihal Arthanayake Sony Music BRITs Afterparty at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, UK - 01 Mar 2025\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SEI_242066869-c58b.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>BBC radio presenter Nihal Arthanayake has hit out at Matt Lucas, alleging that he \u2018took the p**s\u2019 out of a British sign language interpreter (Picture: REX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018I 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**s out of the British sign language interpreter that was on stage,\u2019 Nihal claimed.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It 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, \u201chow do you sign Matt Lucas is a w***er?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u2018You can imagine how the audience reacted.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Earlier in the week, Alice in Wonderland actor Matt said he was \u2018mortified\u2019 after Millie called him out by name <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/02\/28\/millie-bobby-brown-nothing-deserve-hate-getting-22645867\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">for making comments on her appearance.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Matt had retweeted images of Millie, 21, wearing a pink tracksuit and silver hoops with her blonde hair tied up into a messy bun.<\/p>\n<p>He captioned it with the Little Britain character\u2019s iconic phrase: \u2018No but yeah but.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Apologising for his remarks, Matt responded: \u2018Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"722\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22671101 lazyload\" alt=\"Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay\/ITV\/REX\/Shutterstock (14770708b) Matt Lucas 'This Morning' TV show, London, UK - 09 Oct 2024\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SEI_231955547-018f.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>Nihal Arthanayake hit out at Matt Lucas, alleging that he \u2018took the p**s\u2019 out of a British sign language interpreter. (Picture: REX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>He said he thought Millie \u2018looked terrified\u2019 and was left \u2018mortified\u2019 when it was reported that he \u2018slammed\u2019 her, adding: \u2018Firstly because that\u2019s not my style and secondly because I think you\u2019re brilliant.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that I apologise. Matt x,\u2019 the former Bake Off presenter concluded.<\/p>\n<p>Millie shared an emotional video on Instagram addressing comments about her appearance.<\/p>\n<p>She said: \u2018I want to take a moment to address something that I think is bigger than just me, something that affects every young woman who grows up under public scrutiny. I think it\u2019s necessary to speak up about this.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I started in this industry when I was 10 years old, I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can\u2019t seem to grow with me.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"886\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22663306 lazyload\" alt=\"LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Jake Bongiovi (L) and Millie Bobby Brown appear at the after party for the World Premiere of Netflix's "The Electric State" at Citizen News on February 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter\/GA\/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SEI_241375409-2d67.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>Millie Bobby Brown hit back after Matt Lucas compared her to his Little Britain character Vicky Pollard (Picture: Getty)<br \/><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018Instead, they act like I\u2019m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things Season 1.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018And because I don\u2019t, I\u2019m now a target.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>She went on to point out some of the articles that she thinks are \u2018so desperate to tear young women down,\u2019 including one which referenced Matt\u2019s comparison.<\/p>\n<p>She said it was \u2018amplifying an insult rather than questioning why a grown man is mocking a young woman\u2019s appearance.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u2018This is bullying,\u2019 Millie went on, saying the attention on \u2018my face, my body, my choices, it\u2019s disturbing\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Millie was inundated with support from fellow celebrities, with Sarah Jessica Parker writing: \u2018Enormously proud of you. Xxx, SJ.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Stacey Solomon added: \u2018Louder for the people at the back! You\u2019re incredible Millie. And so grounded & intelligent. I love this & everything you\u2019re standing for.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Matt Lucas has been contacted by Metro for comment. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page – we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>{“@context”:”https:\/\/schema.org”,”@type”:”VideoObject”,”name”:”Metro.co.uk”,”duration”:”T39S”,”thumbnailUrl”:”https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2025\/03\/05\/09\/95860143-0-image-a-4_1741167585898.jpg”,”uploadDate”:”2025-03-05T09:33:33+0000″,”description”:”Broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake claims Matt Lucas exhibited ‘w***er’ behaviour towards a sign language interpreter at The British Book Awards event in 2024.”,”contentUrl”:”https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2025\/03\/05\/6040594263545921216\/480x270_MP4_6040594263545921216.mp4″,”height”:480,”width”:270} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’); var placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’); container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’); }); Matt … <a href=\"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/05\/matt-lucas-responds-after-bbc-star-slams-his-wer-behaviour-towards-sign-language-interpreter\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> “Matt Lucas responds after BBC star slams his\u00a0\u2018w***er\u2019 behaviour towards sign language interpreter”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/992"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=992"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/992\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":998,"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/992\/revisions\/998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.isshicare.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}