Little Britain star Matt Lucas has responded after radio host Nihal Arthanayake’s allegations he openly mocked a British Sign Language interpreter at last year’s British Book Awards. The comedy star and author urged fans to “make up their own minds” on the clip, which he shared to his Stories. In the clip, Matt comes on stage to present an award, and, noticing the two BSL interpreters on-screen, had them sign a cheeky monologue which he read aloud.
Matt said: “Hello, I have a confession to make. I’m not actually a British sign language interpreter at all. I’m actually a convicted criminal. I know nothing of sign language, I’m literally just standing here waving my arms around willy nilly. Go on, do willy nilly again.”
But the Great British Bake Off presenter came under fire from Nihal, who alleged he “took the p***” out of the interpreters, leaving an “awkward” silence. In a video of his own, the 53-year-old DJ said: “I just wanted to tell a little story from the British Book Awards last year, where Matt Lucas went on stage and decided that it would be funny, in his mind, to take the p**s out of the British sign language interpreter that was on stage.
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“It felt so awkward to be in the audience. Anyway, I was giving the award out afterwards, so I went on stage and the first thing I said was to the British sign language interpreter, ‘how do you sign Matt Lucas is a w***er?’”
Matt urged fans to make up their own minds, writing: “Some stories have appeared today concerning an improvised comedy routine I did at the British Book Awards in May 2024. It was some light-hearted fun. I’m posting the routine so you can all make up your own minds.”
The allegations surfaced after Lucas to Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown, following backlash over a post he made on social media.
Matt Lucas has been accused of being rude to a sign language interpreter (Image: Getty)
The comedian had shared a photo of the 21-year-old wearing a pink tracksuit with blonde hair tied up, comparing her to his controversial Little Britain character, Vicky Pollard.
Captioning the post with the character’s infamous catchphrase, he wrote: “No but yeah but.”
Brown, who has been vocal about her experiences with online bullying, later called Lucas out by name in an emotional video addressing the treatment she has received in the media.
“This is bullying,” Millie said regarding the post, criticising the attention placed on her “face, [her] body, [her] choices”.
Lucas, who initially appeared unaware of the hurt caused by his comments, responded with a statement expressing regret. He wrote: “Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context.
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Nihal Arthanayake made the bombshell claim against Lucas in an Instagram post (Image: Getty)
“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.”
He continued: “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.”
Following Lucas’s apology, Brown received widespread support from fellow celebrities, including Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker, who praised her for speaking out.
Loose Women star Stacey Solomon also voiced her support, commenting: “Louder for the people at the back! You’re incredible Millie. And so grounded & intelligent. I love this & everything you’re standing for.”
Lucas has yet to publicly respond to Nihal Arthanayake’s claims about his behaviour at the British Book Awards. His representative has been contacted for comment.