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BBC Responds To Complaints Over The Vicar of Dibley Special Referencing Black Lives Matter

BBC Responds To Complaints Over The Vicar of Dibley Special Referencing Black Lives Matter

The BBC received over 100 complaints to the news.

Aneira Davies

Aneira Davies

The BBC has responded to the complaints it received in relation to an upcoming episode of The Vicar of Dibley.

The first of three The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown Christmas specials, which aired on Monday night, saw the return of Dawn French's Reverend Geraldine Grainger to our screens.

In the 10-minute episodes, we see Geraldine give her sermons over Zoom.

Alongside discussing life in lockdown and clapping for the NHS, it was previously reported that the character would also mention Black Lives Matter following the death earlier this year of George Floyd.

In the programme, Geraldine will be seen replacing some notices on the village noticeboard with Black Lives Matters posters, as well as taking the knee as a sign of respect.

She says: "I don't think it matters where you're from. I think it matters that you do something about it because Jesus would, wouldn't he?

"Until all lives matter the same, we are doing something very wrong."

The BBC has now confirmed it received over 100 complaints after the news.

The first of three Christmas specials saw Dawn French's Reverend Geraldine Grainger return to our screens (
BBC)

The BBC responded: "In The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown, Geraldine shares with her congregation her take on some of the key stories of 2020, including clapping for the NHS, the Black Lives Matter movement, lockdown, and school exams being cancelled.

"She is a much-loved and well-established comic character and will be seen processing the year's events in her familiar outspoken and high-spirited way."

An upcoming episode will see Geraldine discuss Black Lives Matter (
BBC)

French herself also appeared to respond to criticism to the news over the weekend, tweeting: "A lovely calm day, full of humanity, compassion and support all round.....".

Meanwhile, her on-screen husband Harry Kennedy, played by actor Richard Armitage, also responded with his full support.

French's on-screen husband Harry, played by Richard Armitage, offered his full support to the star (
BBC)

He wrote: "More love to coming to you than you'll ever know."

Dawn herself then replied: "My husband is a total mensch..." tweeting a picture of the two alongside her words.

The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown continues on Mondays at 8.50pm on BBC One.

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, TV News

Aneira Davies is a freelance lifestyle journalist with a particular interest in interiors and craft. She has written for the Evening Standard, Prima, House Beautiful and Good Housekeeping.

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