Big fat controversy over gypsy documentary on C4

Channel 4's BigFat Gypsy Weddings has been criticised by the Traveller community

While Big Fat Gypsy Weddings has been a ratings winner for Channel 4, many in Britain's traveller community say the show fuels discrimination and portrays their lives inaccurately. That criticism had been relatively muted until 17-year-old Pip McKenzie wrote an open letter to the broadcaster to express his disapproval.

"We are not a joke – we are human beings and your work of fiction is only strengthening stereotypes and ignorance," he wrote.

Pip says he has been physically attacked, while his 12-year-old cousin was beaten up by girls calling her a prostitute. "I am sick of casual racism towards Gypsies and Travellers," he told i. "I'm scared to make friends in case people decide not to be my friend once they find out what I am."

Traveller Christine Cawley, from London, said: "The series does not show the true lives of Gypsies or Irish Travellers. Last year my daughter had to leave school because of being called names. Channel 4 should see the harm they have done."

The Gypsy and Traveller community is one of the most deprived groups in Britain, with a life expectancy 12 years below the national average, high child mortality and low literacy.

The show was recently criticised for billboards using images of children and the slogan: "Bigger. Fatter. Gypsier." The show's sponsor Honda expressed its concerns to Channel 4.

A spokesman for the Irish Traveller Movement said they had tried to make Channel 4 aware of their concerns. "At a meeting, we introduced them to a young Irish Traveller girl who was bullied as a direct result of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings. There's lots of bullying going on, because a lot of young kids watch these shows."

Michelle, a 32-year-old Irish Traveller, said: "The programme makers see us as objects instead of people."

Channel 4 issued a statement saying: "We have had much positive feedback from people within the community and viewers more generally who feel that the series raised some important issues and offered a platform for those within the community to tackle prejudice and misconceptions.

"We have met and continue to meet number of representatives from Gypsy and Traveller communities for open discussions and feel that the meetings are very constructive. We have strict protocols in place for any filming on location and absolutely refute any allegation that the production team behaved inappropriately."