Brief
BBC edits Horrible Histories episodes over slavery and child‑labour sketches
The public broadcaster has pulled and edited episodes of the CBBC sketch show after complaints about historical portrayals.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The BBC has edited and removed several sketches from its children’s sketch comedy series Horrible Histories after complaints that the material was unsuitable for a young audience. The changes, made in 2019, included the removal of a segment that showed Madame Tussaud making wax masks from decapitated heads, a sketch in which white actors used darker makeup to portray ancient Incas or Egyptians, and a full episode that explained Roman slavery through an airline‑flight parody. The broadcaster said the edits were carried out in consultation with the programme’s creators to ensure the series met its editorial guidelines for children’s content.
Actor Mathew Baynton, who played figures such as Guy Fawkes and William Shakespeare on the show, had previously acknowledged that the representation of Egyptians could be challenged. In a 2022 interview with the Telegraph, he said, “We didn’t do blackface, for example, but you could argue that we did.” The BBC spokesperson added that the edits were made “seven years ago, in consultation with the programme makers, to ensure the series meets our editorial guidelines for children’s programmes.”
The removed episode also featured a sketch about Victorian child workers sent into narrow, hazardous chimneys, with a young boy instructed to “try not to die.” The BBC’s statement said the programme was re‑edited following discussions with its creators, and that the show remains available on BBC iPlayer.
Similar actions have been taken by the broadcaster in the past. In September 2026, the BBC pulled 11 sketches from the classic comedy series That Mitchell & Webb Look over concerns about potential racism, a move that critics described as excessive censorship. The BBC has also edited other shows, such as That Mitchell & Webb Look, to remove material that no longer “works today.”
Key facts
- BBC edited several Horrible Histories sketches in 2019 to meet editorial guidelines for children’s programmes (independent.co.uk)
- Removed sketches included a Madame Tussaud wax‑mask segment, a black‑makeup Inca/Egyptian sketch, and a Roman slavery parody (independent.co.uk)
- Actor Mathew Baynton said the Egyptian portrayal could be challenged, noting a “spray tan” effect (independent.co.uk)
- BBC spokesperson said edits were made in consultation with programme makers (independent.co.uk)
- BBC has previously removed 11 sketches from That Mitchell & Webb Look over racism concerns (independent.co.uk)
Background
The BBC’s public‑service arm has faced scrutiny over its handling of historical content in children’s programming, leading to a broader debate about censorship and modernising legacy shows.
Why it matters
The edits raise questions about how broadcasters balance historical accuracy with contemporary sensitivities in children’s media.
What happens next
The BBC has not announced further changes to the series, but the broadcaster continues to review its content library for compliance with updated guidelines.
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “BBC edit Horrible Histories episodes featuring slavery and child labour”
