Martin Clunes reveals he was told not to cry after his father's death
- Martin Clunes expressed his discontent about comments made by David Walliams during The Graham Norton Show regarding a past sketch.
- The sketch in question, featuring racial stereotyping, was a part of the BBC’s series Come Fly With Me, which was criticized and removed from streaming.
- Clunes' remarks highlight the ongoing conversation about racism in comedy and the responsibilities of entertainers.
In the UK, Martin Clunes criticized comedian David Walliams for his remarks regarding Clunes during a sketch in the controversial series 'Come Fly With Me'. The sketch, which aired over a decade ago, featured Walliams and his collaborator Matt Lucas parodying excitable Japanese schoolgirls who idolized Clunes. The series was criticized for racial stereotyping and was subsequently removed from streaming services in 2020. Clunes, who was originally supposed to appear in the sketch, felt flattered at first but later expressed disappointment after hearing Walliams' comments on The Graham Norton Show, where Walliams dismissed him as an unlikely choice for fan obsession, contrasting him with pop star Robbie Williams. This incident reignited discussions about the harm of casual racism in comedy and provoked public scrutiny regarding the portrayal of racial and cultural stereotypes in entertainment. Walliams and Lucas have previously apologized for their use of racial stereotypes in past shows, acknowledging a change in societal attitudes towards such content. The controversy surrounding their works has emerged against the backdrop of wider societal discussions on racism, prompted by events such as the murder of George Floyd. As the dialogue continues, Clunes is promoting his new drama 'Out There', highlighting changes both in his career and the industry’s approach to sensitive subjects.