Spitting Image remodels Ed Sheeran’s puppet before show airs to avoid upsetting redheads
SPITTING Image has remodelled its puppet of Ed Sheeran before the show has even aired — to avoid upsetting redheads.
The original had carrot leaves sprouting from the Shape of You singer’s bonce — but now has turnip foliage instead.
Producers of Spitting Image decided to rejig Ed Sheeran’s puppet, after seeing the trailer, to not upset redheads[/caption] The singer’s caricature had carrot leaves on his head, but they were exchanged for turnip foliage[/caption]Producers decided on the switch after seeing the trailer for the show.
An ITV source said: “It was thought to be gratuitously offensive so we ordered them to rejig the puppet. The puppeteers didn’t seem too happy about the changes.
“But it’s a fine line when you’re making comedy. It’s one thing poking fun at the rich and powerful but it’s another insulting some viewers. It cost quite a lot of money to change. But it’s worth the expense.”
And it is not just the show’s portrayal of Ed that has drawn criticism. The creators have already been slammed online for portraying Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, 17, as a weathergirl warning about the heat.
The producers also got slammed for Greta Thunberg’s portrayal as a weathergirl warning about the heat[/caption] Caricaturist Roger Law, who created the puppets, said: ‘People sit around looking for things to complain about’[/caption] Producers were accused of racism for their portrayals of Kanye West, but Mr Law hit back saying ‘It’s personal — it’s not a racist thing’[/caption]Most read in Celebrity
Producers have also been accused of racism for their portrayals of black celebrities, including Kanye West, 43, and Beyonce, 39.
But caricaturist Roger Law, 79, who created the puppets, said: “People sit around looking for things to complain about, and I do big noses and big ears. It’s personal — it’s not a racist thing.”
Spitting Image returns to screens tomorrow night on streaming service Britbox, which was created by the BBC and ITV. Harry and Meghan and US President Donald Trump are also among the public figures being satirised.
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