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Great British Bake Off Star Briony Williams Blasts The Witches For Disability Depiction

Great British Bake Off Star Briony Williams Blasts The Witches For Disability Depiction

The Witches has come under fire for its depiction of Anne Hathaway's Grand High Witch with missing fingers.

Joanna Freedman

Joanna Freedman

Great British Bake Off star Briony Williams is the latest celeb to criticise The Witches for depicting the Grand High Witch with a disability.

In the Roald Dahl adaptation, the character, played by Anne Hathaway, is seen with only two elongated fingers, while the others are missing - and this is despite no such reference in the book.

You can see this in the trailer below (at about 1 minute 20 seconds in):

Speaking on the moment she saw the portrayal, Briony - who was born without any fingers in her left hand - said she cried when she saw the unnecessary addition to the witch's aesthetic.

"This is really hard post for me to write," she told her followers on Instagram.

"I've kept quiet about the controversy surrounding the depiction of the witches' hands in the new film version of the Roald Dahl classic but I can't anymore because it's really got to me.



"I want to point out a few things first and that is in the original book, the witches were not described as missing fingers, they had claws instead of nails which they used gloves to cover. In the 1990 version of the film, they didn't give the witches missing fingers (as you can see in the pics).

"When I look at the pictures of @annehathaway with her witch hands, it brings tears to my eyes because I see MY hand in the photos.

"I see my genetic disorder that caused me to be born without any fingers on my left hand.

"I see something to be afraid of, something meant to make you feel sick and revolted."

The Bake Off semi-finalist continued: "This isn't about being overly sensitive, a 'snowflake' or being too politically correct. This is about showcasing limb difference as ugly, scary, gross and evil.

Anne Hathaway was depicted with missing fingers (
Warner Bros)

"They didn't need to do this, look at the book, the original film. How did they think this was acceptable?

"I'm very proud of my hand, it's taken me decades to get there but I am. When I was on Bake Off, I had people tweet me saying I look like the guy on Freddy Got Fingered. I feel desperately sad for those people out there, especially children, with a limb difference who are ashamed of it or embarrassed because this will knock them harder than you know.

"I'm so pleased that people and charities are speaking up because it's not ok."

Briony is far from the only one to criticise Warner Bros for the insensitive depiction.

Disabled comedian Alex Brooker said he fond it "jarring" to see the limb deficiency used for dramatic effect, meanwhile, British Paralympian Amy Marren also called out Warner Bros. on Twitter, saying: "Was there much thought given as to how this representation of limb differences would effect the limb difference community?!"

Alex Brooker also said he found the interview 'jarring' (
Instagram/ Alex Brooker)

She also shared a lengthy statement explaining that surgeons often build hands that look like the Grand High Witch's for people with limb differences and that it was "upsetting" to see such people "being represented as something scary."

Following the backlash, Warner Bros has apologised for the depiction, while Anne Hathaway has also said sorry, assuring fans: "Now that I know better I promise I'll do better."

Issuing a heartfelt apology alongside a video of people with limb differences from the Lucky Fin Project non-profit, which raises awareness and celebrates those with the disability, she said: "I have recently learned that many people with limb differences, especially children, are in pain because of the portrayal of the Grand High Witch in The Witches.

"As someone who really believes in inclusivity and really, really detests cruelty, I owe you all an apology for the pain caused.



"I am sorry. I did not connect limb difference with the GHW when the look of the character was brought to me; if I had, I assure you this never would have happened.

"I particularly want to say I'm sorry to kids with limb differences: now that I know better I promise I'll do better. And I owe a special apology to everyone who loves you as fiercely as I love my own kids: I'm sorry I let your family down.

"If you aren't already familiar, please check out the @Lucky_Fin_Project (video above) and the #NotAWitch hashtag to get a more inclusive and necessary perspective on limb difference."

Fans have praised Hathaway for issuing her apology, with one saying: "Thank you for your apology. It's a small step to more awareness and a change on how society perceives people like us."

"Thank you for addressing this and for your apology. I do believe that it was unintentional and no upset was caused on purpose," added another. "We have been trying to raise awareness to prevent something like this occurring again - it's great to see our voices were heard. Thank you again for your apology!"

Here's hoping this can be used as an opportunity for change in the future!

Featured Image Credit: ITV

Topics: TV News, TV Entertainment