TV sitcom filmed at Doncaster Sheffield Airport pulled from Netflix after 'blackface' controversy

A sitcom filmed in Doncaster has been pulled from Netflix and BBC iPlayer after controversy over the use of blackface characters.
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Come Fly With Me, starring David Walliams and Matt Lucas, along with the pair’s other hit show Little Britain have been removed from the streaming services and BritBox too after bosses told viewers: “Times have changed.”

Doncaster Sheffield Airport was the setting and filming location for the 2010 series which showed the lives of a number of characters working for a low cost airline.

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The decision comes in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests across the globe following the killing of black African-American George Floyd by a white police officer in the USA.

Come Fly With Me was filmed in Doncaster. (Photo: BBC).Come Fly With Me was filmed in Doncaster. (Photo: BBC).
Come Fly With Me was filmed in Doncaster. (Photo: BBC).

In the show, Walliams dressed up in blackface to play passenger liaison officer Moses Beacon and airline boss Omar Baba.

Lucas played coffee shop owner Precious in blackface as well as baggage handler Taaj.

A BBC spokesman added: ‘There’s a lot of historical programming available on BBC iPlayer, which we regularly review.

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"Times have changed since Little Britain first aired so it is not currently available on BBC iPlayer."

BritBox, which streams ITV and BBC shows, added: "Times have changed since Little Britain first aired, so it is not currently available on BritBox. Come Fly With Me has not been available on the service for six months."

Tens of thousands of protesters have been lining the streets following the death of black American George Floyd.

A video showed white police officer, Derek Chauvin, pressing his knee on the neck of the dying man - while he pleaded for air with his hands handcuffed behind him.

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Last week comedian Leigh Francis, who plays TV host Keith Lemon was forced into a tearful apology by talk show host Trisha Goddard.

Leigh Francis, who wore rubber masks to play stars in his show Bo’ Selecta, from 2002 to 2004, was confronted by Trisha, one of the black celebs he lampooned along with Craig David and Mel B.

Leigh, 47, said: “I didn’t realise how offensive it was. I just want to say sorry for any upset I caused whether I was Michael Jackson, Craig David, Trisha Goddard.”