Veteran comedian Stan Boardman, 88, has been removed from the lineup of the Liverpool Book Festival at BOXPARK on March 8, following complaints about his past material. The star, who rose to fame on Opportunity Knocks and was known for jokes about Germans during World War II, was set to discuss his autobiography but was informed via email that organisers had received “feedback from the public regarding past material that has been considered inappropriate or offensive.”
Boardman’s son Paul, who co-wrote the memoir, expressed the family’s upset and confusion over the decision. He told the Liverpool Echo that they have requested details about the complaints, including the number of emails and their content, to mount a defence. “Given the fact Stan has been used to promote the event throughout, that's the very least we could ask for,” he said.
Paul defended his father’s comedy, insisting it was not as offensive as some might think. “My dad wasn't a Bernard Manning. He never used the n-word. OK, he would do jokes about the Germans, but we all know now that he's got a good reason to have a little bit of fun at the Germans. It's never in a nasty way,” he said. He added that Boardman shows contrition and never intended to hurt anyone.
The festival appearance had been promoted with Boardman’s name, and he performed at the same event last year without issue. Paul described the cancellation as a “brilliant” event for Liverpool that has caused “upset” for the family. Boardman, who appeared on shows like Through the Keyhole and This Is Your Life, remains a well-known figure from 1980s and 1990s television.
