Spitting Image creators have made a last-minute change to their Ed Sheeran puppet, replacing a carrot on the singer's head with turnip leaves over concerns it could be 'gratuitously offensive' to ginger people. The satirical show, returning to Britbox on 3 October, originally featured the Shape of You singer with a carrot atop his crown, but producers ordered a redesign after deeming the joke potentially insulting to red-headed viewers.
An ITV source told The Sun: 'It was thought to be gratuitously offensive so we ordered them to rejig the puppet. The puppeteers didn't seem too happy about the changes. But it's a fine line when you're making comedy. It's one thing poking fun at the rich and powerful but it's another insulting some viewers. It cost quite a lot of money to change. But it's worth the expense.'
The new series of Spitting Image will feature puppets of Charles and Camilla, Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Billie Eilish, Greta Thunberg, Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, Harry Styles, Brad Pitt, Elton John and Gwyneth Paltrow. All original 10 series will also be available on Britbox, alongside 14 best episodes selected by bosses.
Some stars from the original 1980s and 1990s show have been persuaded to take part, including Edwina Currie, who will introduce her own puppet. The new episode launches on 3 October.
