Gavin & Stacey Christmas special: BBC defends controversial episode after 800 complaints

Scene drew widespread criticism due to the controversy surrounding 'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues

The BBC has issued another statement defending the use of the word “faggot” in the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, after it was revealed that the incident drew more than 800 complaints.

The moment takes place when characters Bryn (Rob Byrdon) and Nessa (Ruth Jones) perform a karaoke rendition of “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues at their local pub, The Dolphin.

When they reach the controversial lyric, “You’re a cheap lousy faggot” (performed by Kirsty McColl in the original version), the line is sung by Bryn instead, with the slur going uncensored.

The BBC confirmed it received 866 complaints from viewers and issued a statement defending the scene.

“The descent of [the couple in the song’s] relationship is reflected in the increasingly abusive and offensive terms they use to address each other; insults which are intended to reflect the language that such characters might have used in that era.

“The origin of the word includes a definition which describes it as a contemptuous and antiquated word for laziness, and the author of the song has cited this inference behind his inclusion of that line.”

The statement continued: “While the word faggot is now widely acknowledged as having the potential to offend, the song never suggests or implies that this is, or was ever, an appropriate way to address another person, nor does it link it to homosexuality.

“Nessa and Bryn were seen singing the original lines and we can assure you there was no intention to offend viewers. We understand that some people will find it offensive in any context but we also recognise that the song is widely played and enjoyed in its original form. Ofcom has previously stated that it feels it is ‘unlikely that audiences would widely perceive [the song] as a serious attempt to denigrate the homosexual community’.”

Writer and actor Ruth Jones previous defended the decision to include the lyric, telling The Sun that it was “a different climate” and: “We have to remain true to the characters, to who they were.

“Characters in Gavin & Stacey are kind of big-hearted, I believe,” she said. “So I think no one is going to be intentionally hurtful. But by the same token, they’re not neccessarily going to be completely politically correct or be aware of political correctness.”