Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has criticised the BBC as "woke", saying "we're breeding a weak generation", after the broadcaster edited a trans rights slogan out of rehearsal footage.
Last weekend, Bethany Antonia wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan 'Protect the Dolls', but the words were removed in rehearsal footage, making it appear she was wearing a plain white shirt. The slogan has become a sign of support for trans rights, with proceeds from sales going to UK trans charity Not A Phase.
BBC defends decision
The BBC defended its decision, with a spokesperson saying: "As is standard practice on any entertainment show on the BBC and in line with our editorial guidelines, appropriate steps are taken to reduce the inclusion of any overt branding or slogans that may be present, regardless of the wording or statement in question."
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk via WhichBingo, James said: "Probably one person has picked up on [the slogan] and complained about it. I mean, the world's gone mad, hasn't it? It's just ridiculous. People get offended by everything, don't they?"
James's view on the row
He added: "[The BBC was] damned if it did, damned if it didn't. If it didn't, people would be complaining. If it did, they were going to complain."
"Does it matter? Let people do what they want to do. The only thing for me is it is almost like you are pushing your beliefs and feelings on other people. Do you know what I mean?"
"Can I go on there and put 'Catholics'— I'm Catholic — 'Catholics are amazing, protect the Catholics'? That's going to upset people, right? Because it's religion. So I just think the world's gone mad, to be honest."
James on the BBC's general approach
Asked if he thinks the BBC in general has become "too woke", James admitted: "Definitely. I've thought that for years."
"I think the world is starting to do a bit of a full circle, where people are now starting to speak out about it and go, well, I don't really care — they're not afraid."
"People are going through a stage where they were worried about things that they said. I know people that work in offices where you're not allowed to say to someone, oh, you look really nice in that dress, because it's apparently offensive, and shit like that."
"So yeah, it just winds me up. Everyone's so precious nowadays. We're breeding a weak generation, in my opinion, just offended by everything."
