The BBC has come under fire from a number of trans activists after supposedly "blurring out" a pro-trans message on singer Ricky Wilson's t-shirt.
The Kaiser Chiefs singer and former The Voice coach was taking part in a prank orchestrated by Michael McIntyre for his Big Show.
An unsuspecting Wilson was unaware he was being filmed for the show when he arrived at, what he believed to be, an adult's play centre.
As he took part in the soft play activities, Wilson eventually slid on stage where the rest of his band were waiting to break into an impromptu performance of I Predict A Riot.
Wilson was wearing a chequered shirt with a t-shirt underneath which had the slogan "trans rights are human rights" etched upon it.
Clips and screenshots from the skit have since gone viral on social media, including one which appears to show the message somewhat distorted.
Ricky Wilson and Michael McIntyre during this weekend's Big Show on the BBC
BBC
One image which has done the rounds and sparked fury comes from a hidden camera that followed Wilson into the fake play centre.
The low resolution of the image makes it difficult to read the message, but some activists have claimed it's clear evidence of "transphobia" at the BBC.
Activist India Willoughby was one X user who decided to point the finger at the Beeb, fuming on the social media site: "Shocking. BBC blurring out 'Trans Rights Are Human Rights' on Ricky Wilson’s tshirt when in full view on #MichaelMcIntyresBigShow #BigShow #MichaelMcIntyre. Institutionally transphobic."
Another activist echoed: "I see the BBC blurring Ricky Wilson's 'trans rights are human rights shirt' on the Michael McIntyre thing. Does the BBC not believe trans people deserve to have rights everyone else has?"
Ricky Wilson trans rights t-shirt: BBC has been accused of 'blurring' the outfit
BBC
And a third complained: "The bbc will just say they censored ricky wilson's trans rights shirt bcos it's 'political' while completely ignoring that it's our media institutions like the bbc that have maliciously made trans ppl political." (sic)
GB News has contacted the BBC for comment on the complaints but it appears these disgruntled activists already have their explanation.
And it has nothing to do with intentional blurring as a community note on X has explained all.
It reads: "This shot in the show was using a low-quality CCTV-style camera and everything is a little blurry and colours are off. Later shots using a broadcast camera show Ricky's shirt clearly."
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I see the BBC blurring Ricky Wilson's "trans rights are human rights shirt" on the Michael McIntyre thing.
— Kăskă 🏳️⚧️🐀 (@KaskaJessica) February 3, 2024
Does the BBC not believe trans people deserve to have rights everyone else has? pic.twitter.com/fMQhYEJdRD
Later during the skit, Wilson's shirt is plainly visible while he performs with his bandmates.
This prompted several other X users to hit back at the complaints, including one who argued: "I don't think the BBC blurred out Ricky Wilson's t shirt. I was able to read what it said, and I'm many pints in and about to go to my bed."
And a second weighed in: "I've seen a lot of people attacking BBC for blurring Ricky's shirt and while that's something you would expect them to do I think in this case the shot in question was a low def camera. Above pic taken from main stage and it's clear." (sic)
Wilson hasn't addressed the controversy since his appearance on McIntyre's show, but he did share a clip on Instagram behind the scenes of the comedian's pranks.
