'Mortified' Matt Lucas apologises to Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown after she calls him out
Matt Lucas has issued an apology to Millie Bobby Brown after comparing her look to his Little Britain character, Vicky Pollard. The 50 year old comedian used Instagram to apologise for his comment on a post that featured a photo of the Stranger Things actress dressed in a pink top and hoop earrings, similar to his comedic character's signature style.
Millie's evolving appearance since the start of her career has sparked much online discussion, and she responded with an Instagram post of her own. The actress listed a handful of recent headlines, including one which addressed Matt Lucas' reaction to her appearance. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
She said: "This isn't journalism. This is bullying. The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it's disturbing".
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In response to Millie's post, Matt wrote on his Instagram: "Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond and provide some context. Nearly 25 years ago, I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain. There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases.
"I thought you looked terrific, and I was mortified when the press wrote that I 'slammed' you, firstly because that's not my style, and secondly because I think you're brilliant. I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you, but I realise it has, and for that, I apologise."
It comes after the actress spoke out against the public's obsession with her looks and the tendency to "tear young women down". This comes in response to online comments made following her appearance at the BRIT Awards at The O2 in London on Saturday night, March 2, as well as her press tour for the new film The Electric State, and her attendance at the SAG Awards. In a post shared with her 63.3 million Instagram followers on Monday, March 3, she addressed the comments.
She said: "I want to take a moment to address something that I think is bigger than just me, something that affects every young woman who grows up under public scrutiny. I think it’s necessary to speak up about this. I started in this industry when I was 10 years old.
"I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me. Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things Season 1. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.
"Let’s talk about the articles, the headlines, the people who are so desperate to tear young women down. ‘Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown ageing so badly?’ by Lydia Hawken.‘What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?’ by John Ely. ‘Millie Bobby Brown mistaken for someone’s mom as she guides younger sister Ava through LA’ by Cassie Carpenter. 'Little Britain’s Matt Lucas takes savage swipe at Millie Bobby Brown’s new “mommy makeover” look’—written by Bethan Edwards, amplifying an insult rather than questioning why a grown man is mocking a young woman’s appearance.
"This isn't journalism. This is bullying. The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it’s disturbing. The fact that some of these articles are written by women?"
She continued: "Even worse. We always talk about supporting and uplifting young women, but when the time comes, it seems easier to tear them down for clicks. Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs. I refuse to apologize for growing up.
"I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman. I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself. We have become a society where it’s so much easier to criticize than it is to pay a compliment.
"Why is the knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than to say something nice? If you have a problem with that, I have to wonder—what is it that actually makes you so uncomfortable? Let’s do better. Not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing."
