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Ricky Gervais has gotten into the controversy surrounding Roald Dahl’s children’s books, which have been edited to remove words like “fat” and “ugly” in their latest edition.
The comedian took to Twitter to talk about how he should change his own routine in favor of “fragile” and “easily offended” people.
In a blog post filled with expletives, he wrote:
This I wonder if they will change any of the words I have used in my work after my death, to spare those who are fragile and easily offended.
Words like “fat” and “ugly.” and “c***” and “f**k”. and “fat, ugly, greedy, pathetic little stupid f**king c***”. things like that.’
A Twitter follower responded that Jervis’ drawings were not aimed at children, claiming that it can be difficult to explain the “hurtful” words to children.
Jervis replied, “Yes, I know […]. it was a joke.”
In another tweet, he shared a photo of himself pulling an unflattering face and revealing his stomach, writing, “I’ve changed my mind. I think we should ban the words ‘fat’ and ‘ugly.’ For no reason.”
Jervis’ comments follow a week of angry controversy after Dahl’s classic books, incl Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryis known to have been modified for a children’s audience for 2023. Augustus Gloop will not be “fat” but “huge” and Oompa-Loompas will be gender neutral.
On Friday, publisher Puffin announced the launch of the Roald Dahl Classic Collection to “keep the author’s classic texts in print” claiming they had “overheard the discussion.”
The comment was widely reported in the British press, and Queen Camilla even spoke on the subject at a writers’ reception on Thursday. Expressing her opinion clearly, she told her audience:
“Please remain true to your vocation, unimpeded by those who may wish to stifle your freedom of expression or place limits on your imagination.” And the cuff was raised: “Enough said.”
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