More than two decades after Little Britain first aired, a new audience is discovering the controversial sketch show but not on BBC or Netflix. Instead, Gen-Z has resurrected it on TikTok, where short clips featuring outrageous characters and catchphrases have racked up millions of views. The twist? Many of these viral clips are the very ones that got the show pulled from streaming platforms in 2020.
Created by Matt Lucas and David Walliams, Little Britain was a defining comedy of the 2000s. It won awards, ran across multiple seasons, and even spawned a spin-off, Come Fly With Me. But as societal standards around race, sexuality, and disability evolved, the show came under fire for jokes that many now see as not just outdated but outright offensive.
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So, what exactly were the problematic parts that made Little Britain so controversial? And why is a younger, supposedly more ‘woke’ generation giving it a second life online?
The sketch comedy that wouldn’t survive today
In its heyday, Little Britain pushed boundaries, but those boundaries have since shifted. Here are some of the show’s most criticised elements:
1.Blackface and racial impersonations
Perhaps the most damning legacy of the show is its frequent use of blackface. Lucas and Walliams regularly donned makeup to portray Black, Asian, and Middle Eastern characters. Desiree DeVere, a Black woman played by Lucas, and Walliams’ portrayal of a Pakistani airport worker in Come Fly With Me, are now widely cited as textbook examples of casual racism in British comedy.
2.Mocking immigrants
In one sketch, a South Asian woman repeatedly says “fish and chips” to a white woman who pretends not to understand her accent. The joke? There’s nothing wrong with her pronunciation. It’s a clear dig at how immigrants are othered and ridiculed for simply existing in British spaces.
TikTok brings back Little Britain sketches once scrubbed from streaming platformsYoutube
3.Homophobic tropes
Daffyd Thomas, “the only gay in the village,” became a pop culture icon. But behind the tight latex and defiant catchphrases was a caricature that trivialised queer identity. Critics argue the sketch mocked those seeking LGBTQ+ representation, especially in rural Britain, by painting them as attention-seeking or even delusional.
4.Making disability the punchline
The Lou and Andy sketches, where a man pretends to be disabled while secretly living a full and able-bodied life, were played for laughs. But disability advocates slammed the recurring gag for reinforcing harmful stereotypes especially the idea that disabled people are exaggerating their conditions.
5.Fatphobia disguised as satire
Marjorie Dawes, the cruel leader of “FatFighters,” body-shamed plus-size people under the guise of tough love. She dished out insults like “you’re all a bunch of fatties” and suggested dieters should eat dust. Today, the sketch reads less like satire and more like playground bullying with a budget.
So why is Gen-Z obsessed?
On the surface, it’s ironic. This is the same generation that calls out microaggressions, supports trigger warnings, and champions inclusivity. And yet, here they are remixing, quoting, and laughing at Little Britain on TikTok.
Some see it as a rebellion against the restrictions of ‘cancel culture.’ Others argue Gen-Z isn't laughing with the show, but at its absurdity.
The lo-fi clips, strange voices, and bizarre characters may feel so dated they become unintentionally funny. But the nostalgia factor is real, too especially for older Gen-Zs who may have grown up overhearing these sketches at home. And on TikTok, context is often stripped away. A clip of Daffyd dramatically storming out of a pub is just a 15-second punchline. The problematic framing? Not always obvious.
Apology tour and accountability
In 2020, Lucas and Walliams issued public apologies. “We now understand it was wrong,” Lucas admitted. The BBC removed the show from iPlayer, and Netflix followed suit. A few versions have since returned to platforms but with edits.
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Characters in blackface and racially insensitive sketches are no longer included.
Still, as Little Britain finds unexpected life on TikTok, the debate continues. Is it cultural history worth critiquing? A comedic relic that should stay buried? Or a mirror to how easily offensive content can be repackaged and recirculated in the age of short-form virality?
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.