The BBC has ignited a fresh row over so-called 'woke' censorship after slapping content warnings on beloved British sitcoms, including Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses, for containing 'discriminatory language.'
The broadcaster has added disclaimers to episodes on its iPlayer platform, alerting viewers that the shows 'reflect the broadcast standards and language of their time' and may feature 'discriminatory content.'
Classic Comedy Under Scrutiny
Among the flagged programmes is John Cleese's iconic 1970s farce Fawlty Towers, which now carries warnings for its use of racial slurs and sexist humour. Similarly, episodes of Only Fools and Horses and Porridge have been marked for outdated language.
The move follows the BBC's earlier decision to temporarily remove an episode of Fawlty Towers featuring racial slurs in 2020, which was later reinstated with a warning.
Backlash from Fans and Critics
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from comedy purists and free speech advocates, who argue that historical context is being sacrificed at the altar of modern sensibilities.
'This is yet another example of revisionism run amok,' said one media commentator. 'These shows are products of their era—trying to sanitise them is both futile and dishonest.'
However, defenders of the warnings maintain they strike a balance between preserving artistic works and acknowledging evolving social norms.
The BBC's Balancing Act
A BBC spokesperson stated: 'While these programmes remain an important part of our comedy heritage, we've added contextual warnings to ensure audiences understand their historical nature.'
The broadcaster has increasingly employed such disclaimers across its archive content, from documentaries to dramas, as part of its diversity and inclusion policies.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Britain's relationship with its comedy classics has entered uncharted—and increasingly politicised—territory.
