 London
Underground have rejected the advert for Fat Christ, a black
comedy starring topless model Abi Titmuss, on the grounds that it was
likely to offend ethnic, religious or other major groups.
The poster depicts a portly man on a cross. He is wearing pink striped
boxes and a crown of thorns. It was banned from Angel Tube station,
where the Upper Street theatre had booked an advertising spot.
The ban has been criticised by the Rev Stephen Coles, of St Thomas's
Church in Finsbury Park, according to the Islington Tribune. He is
quoted as saying: The itch to censor is something one should resist.
I can't quite see how this could cause offence. We're grown-ups and
Jesus can defend himself. One has to be a little wary of indulging the
super-sensitive.
Gavin Davis, the author of Fat Christ who also features as the
man on the cross, insisted he had not set out to offend: The play is
a comedy and the poster accurately reflects its content and themes – the
central character stages his own mock crucifixion for an art project. We
don't believe it to be blasphemous and can't understand London
Underground's censorious position. I am, however, prepared to apologise
for my choice of boxer shorts.
A London Underground spokesman said the Fat Christ poster was
“declined” because it contravened a commitment not to display adverts
likely to offend ethnic, religious or other major groups: Millions of
people travel on the London Underground each day and they have no choice
but to view whatever adverts are posted there. We have to take account
of every passenger and endeavour not to cause offence in the advertising
we display.
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