School apologises after ‘racist’ Two Ronnies sketch shown to pupils

A school has issued an apology after parents slammed a ‘racist’ Two Ronnies sketch shown to pupils.

Year 9 students at Archway School, in Shroud, Gloucestershire, saw the video of Ronnie Corbett ‘blacked up’ and in Arabian dress at the hour long presentation evening last Thursday.

Some parents were appalled at the comedy clip in which Corbett ‘appeared to ridicule a foreign accent’.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss how parents and staff could work more closely in partnership and with better communication.

One dad said: "A teacher giving the presentation said the clips would show us how important communication is, but we couldn’t believe it when it when it came on the screen.

"I love the Two Ronnies but showing someone with their face blacked up in order to laugh at their accent in this day and age… I was furious."

The clip – from the 1970s comedy sketch show the Two Ronnies – was written by Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, who also star in it.

Set in a small shop, the sketch opens with Barker in his familiar role as a brown-coated shopkeeper, before Corbett enters the scene wearing dark make up and in Arabic robes and headwear.

As Corbett’s Arabic character enters the shop, Barker mutters: "Old Ali Baba’s a bit off course," before turning to address him.

"Morning Abdul," he continues.

What follows is several minutes of what some people find uncomfortable viewing as Barker repeatedly misunderstands Corbett due to his thick ‘foreign’ accent.

Firstly he hears mouse instead of mousse, China man instead of cinnamon and then Jewish instead of juice.

After each misunderstanding, canned laughter can be heard.

"The Two Ronnies are brilliant, but there’s just no place for this racist humour anymore," another parent said.

"Why not use the four candles sketch instead? We all love that one."

Colin Belford, spokesman for Archway School, said he had personally contacted some of the parents to apologise for the inappropriate choice.

"I was contacted by some parents following a Year 9 information evening last week," Mr Belford said.

"They were understandably and justifiably concerned and offended by a YouTube clip which was used on the evening.

"The clip was of a Two Ronnies sketch from the 1970s: the intention had been to demonstrate communication difficulties.

"I have spoken to each of the parents who contacted me to apologise for this inappropriate choice.

"I am grateful that they recognised that this is neither typical of Archway nor its inclusivity. The matter is being dealt with internally."

Results of a 2016 study by broadcasting regulator Ofcom showed that television viewers and radio listeners have become less tolerant of racist or discriminatory words.

Tony Close, director of content standards at Ofcom, said when the results were published: "People draw the line at racist and discriminatory language – participants felt this was the most unacceptable of all."

"Most people see these words as derogatory and insulting."

Ex-Ofcom chief Ed Richards said the trend was part of a wider backlash against all forms of discriminatory content on television, something that was borne out by audience research conducted by Ofcom.

"As a result, some programmes from a previous generation of television could no longer be shown," he said.

"[There are] comedies from the seventies which had certain racial stereotypes in them which are unimaginable today and if they were shown people would find them offensive and that wouldn’t just be people from black and ethnic minority communities, it would be everybody.

"I think the country has moved on in a very important way there."

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