Ricky Gervais has taken a swipe at woke culture in light of Roald Dahl’s estate revealing they would be changing parts of his classic children’s novels.
The publisher’s decision to amend the language used in the classic children’s author’s books was criticised heavily, with Rishi Sunak also stepping in to condemn the decision.
The latest editions were to be edited to remove language that was deemed offensive.
Changes included removing the word "fat" from the books, with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character Augustus Gloop instead being described as "enormous".
The Oompa Loompas were also changed to be gender neutral "small people".
Gervais hit out at “fragile” and “easily offended” people who required texts they read to be censored as to not upset them.
Gervais hit out at “fragile” and “easily offended” people
Ian West
In a series of tweets he made his stance clear, he wrote: “This is me pondering whether they'll change any of the words I've used in my work after I'm dead, 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***’. Stuff like that.”
The post was shared alongside a black and white image of Gervais staring into the distance.
One user responded: “What if those words appear on your grave stone??It won’t matter….” To which Gervais replied “I'm going to insist on it.”
He later shared a tongue-in-cheek post in which he wrote: “I've changed my mind. I think we should ban the words 'fat' and 'ugly'. No reason.”
The post was accompanied by an unflattering topless picture of Gervais.
Earlier in the week, the Roald Dahl publisher Penguin U-turned on its decision to censor the books.
Francesca Dow, MD of Penguin Random House Children’s said: “We’ve listened to the debate over the past week which has reaffirmed the extraordinary power of Roald Dahl’s books and the very real questions around how stories from another era can be kept relevant for each new generation.”
Gervais took to Twitter to slam woke culture.
Twitter: Ricky Gervais
She continued: “We also recognise the importance of keeping Dahl’s classic texts in print. By making both Puffinand Penguin versions available, we are offering readers the choice to decide how they experience Roald Dahl’s magical, marvellous stories.”
It comes as a fresh debate on censorship was sparked after it was announced the James Bond novels will be rewritten over worries its author Ian Fleming's language is racist.
The books will include a disclaimer that warns readers: “This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace.
“A number of updates have been made in this edition, while keeping as close as possible to the original text and the period in which it is set.”
