Hugh Bonneville has addressed the social media storm over his unusual appearance on The One Show by joking he has undergone seven cosmetic procedures. The Downton Abbey star, 57, appeared on the BBC programme via video link on Wednesday, with a skin-smoothing filter that prompted a flurry of confused tweets from viewers.
In response, Bonneville posted a statement on Instagram, making light of what has been dubbed “filtergate”. He shared a filter-free selfie in front of a green screen and listed fictitious treatments including “rhinomicroscopy, breast indecision, cheekoplasty, follicoliopoly, dental undergouging, lipodonction and aura misting”.
The actor also referenced a recent viral video call incident where a lawyer accidentally turned himself into a cat filter, adding the hashtag #iamnotacat. His Instagram post concluded: “Hope that clears things up.”
Bonneville was on The One Show to promote his new Sky Original film To Olivia, in which he plays author Roald Dahl. The movie, co-starring Keeley Hawes, was released on Friday.
