Matt Lucas has hit back at claims his German accent on The Great British Bake Off was 'offensive'.
The 47-year-old comedian and host of the show opened up the episode dressed as German electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk with his co-host Noel Fielding.
Watch the clip below:
Performing the sketch with German accents, some viewers didn't think it was appropriate and took to social media to complain.
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Responding to one person - who has since deleted their tweet - that said it was 'offensive', Lucas wrote: "I am Anglo-German. I am a citizen of both countries, with passports for each, so I'll do a ropey German accent any time I like.
"Mind you, I'll probably also do a French accent and an Italian one, if I fancy. Cause, acting, innit."
Many fans jumped to his defence with one writing: "I'm German and there's absolutely nothing offensive there! Personally I get a bit annoyed when people try to classify German as nothing but aggressive, but that's stereotypes for ya."
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Another added: "Don't explain yourself to anyone you're an actor, a comedy genius so it's all part of what you do, it's not offensive, it fitted in with the theme of the show."
A third agreed: "@RealMattLucas love you and please keep doing what you do - people are allowed to feel offended but that doesn't mean what someone else does is offensive. Long live comedy and the ability to laugh our [sic] ourselves."
Another quipped: "In the future we won't be allowed to laugh at anything for fear of offending someone. And, what a dull world it will be."
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Slating both of the presenters, a viewer wrote: "Starting to find the mock German accent both irritating and inappropriate. Would this be allowed if it were another nationality?"
Another added: "The very unfunny Matt Lucas with his 'comic' German accent on #GreatBritishBakeOff," before saying: "Can you imagine the meltdown if it was an Indian or Caribbean accent he was mimicking."
This latest episode of Bake Off saw contestants tasked with German biscuits, an eight-layered Prinzregententorte chocolate cake and a yeast leavened cake.
Great British Bake Off is on every Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
Topics: Matt Lucas, Channel 4