• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
John Cleese has an interesting explanation as to why he'll 'never be cancelled'

Home> Entertainment

Published 09:16 17 May 2023 GMT+1

John Cleese has an interesting explanation as to why he'll 'never be cancelled'

The Fawlty Towers star thinks he's 'uncancellable'

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

John Cleese has explained why he think he's 'uncancellable'.

The Fawlty Towers star, 83, previously received backlash for defending Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's comments about the trans community back in 2020.

"It isn't hate to speak the truth," she tweeted in June of that year.

John Cleese thinks he's 'uncancellable'.
YouTube/@GBNewsOnline

Advert

"The idea that women like me, who've been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they're vulnerable in the same way as women - ie, to male violence - 'hate' trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences - is a nonsense.

"I respect every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.

"I'd march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans.

"At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it's hateful to say so."

Cleese also tweeted: "I'm afraid I'm not that interested in trans folks I just hope they're happy and that people treat them kindly.

Advert

"Right now I'm more focussed on threats to democracy in America, the rampant corruption in the UK, the appalling British Press, the revelations about police brutality."

John Cleese has always been open about his opinions.
BBC

Later that year, the comedy actor spoke out against the idea of 'cancel culture' and said people misunderstand the line between comedy and seriousness.

Speaking to 60 Minutes Australia, Cleese said: "The PC people seem to think that if you make a joke, or tease someone, you are degrading or humiliating them, and this is a complete misunderstanding."

He took particular issue with UKTV, which temporarily removed an episode of Fawlty Towers from its streaming options due to offensive racial references.

Advert

The episode, titled 'The Germans', is often remembered for the recurring line 'don't mention the war'.

However, one scene also involves protagonist Basil Fawlty having a discussion with hotel guest Major Gowen that results in racial slurs concerning West Indians.

UKTV temporarily removed an episode of Fawlty Towers from its streaming options due to offensive racial references.
UKTV

Cleese believed the episode's temporarily removal highlighted an issue with cancel culture and political correctness.

"They completely missed the point. It was a stupid decision in the first place. It was as though they thought that if you put certain words in people's mouths, that meant it had to be true," he said.

Advert

And more recently, the 83-year-old has outlined why he believes he will never be cancelled, personally.

Appearing on Ben Fordham Live, Cleese explained: "I don't get cancelled because I do stage shows… People think to themselves, 'I like him, so I'll buy a ticket.'

"The audience is basically pre-selected to like me, so when I come out they like me and they like the sort of humour I do."

Featured Image Credit: Allstar Picture Library Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Celebrity

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

X

@Anish_Vij

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
  • 9 hours ago

    People are only just noticing the ‘questionable’ Don’t Stop Me Now Queen lyrics years later

    To be fair, it is a cracking song

    Entertainment
  • 9 hours ago

    Martin Scorsese stopped working with Warner Bros after they tried to make decision over film with huge IMDb score

    The two camps did not see eye-to-eye over the Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon classic

    Entertainment
  • 9 hours ago

    Dating coach says one text message from a partner could actually be a very worrying sign

    Another one to add to the list, guys

    Entertainment
  • 9 hours ago

    Noel Gallagher spent years moving brother Liam's furniture around to convince him there was a ghost

    The Oasis frontman appears to be rather concerned by the paranormal

    Entertainment
  • Fawlty Towers reboot in the works over 40 years after final series ended
  • JK Rowling Mentioned Just 10 Times In Harry Potter Special
  • John Cleese Says Cancel Culture Has Caused The 'Death Of Creativity' In Comedy