Horrible Histories scenes removed from TV after slavery and child labour sketches aired

Sketches from TV show Horrible Histories have been removed after featuring references to slavery and child labour.

The popular children's programme is based on the bestselling book series of the same name by Terry Deary, which were intended to pique children’s interest in history.

The comical show, produced for CBBC, previously won a BAFTA and debuted in 2009.

However the acclaimed show created for children has now been heavily edited to meet editorial standards.

At least seven sketches or scenes have been removed from the show, including one showing Madame Tussauds making wax masks from severed heads, according to The Times.

The broadcaster has also removed an entire episode of the show featuring slavery, Victorian child workers and chimney sweeps.

Sketches have been removed from the CBBC show (Bethany Clarke/Getty Images)

It showed how they were sent up into dangerous, narrow chimneys, with one young boy told: “Try not to die.” Another was shown leaning on crutches injured after being stuck up a chimney.

Another sketch no longer available on BBC iPlayer depicted white actors using darker makeup to portray ancient Egyptians.

Actor Mathew Baynton, who played characters including William Shakespeare and Guy Fawkes on the programme, previously said it could be argued the show did 'blackface' in its depiction of Egyptians.

He told The Telegraph in 2022: “We didn’t do blackface, for example, but you could argue that we did.

“Because I played Egyptians, you know, for example, where you’d get a spray tan, essentially, and stand in your pants.”

According to reports, the removed episode featured a sketch teaching children about slavery in ancient Rome. It depicted a Roman galley as an airline flight, with enslaved rowers chained to their oars and told they would not be allowed to escape should the ship sink.

A spokesperson for the BBC said in a statement: “The edits to Horrible Histories were made seven years ago, in consultation with the programme makers, to ensure the series meets our editorial guidelines for children’s programmes.”

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary has been approached for comment by LADbible.

The removal of select scenes comes just weeks after the BBC removed Mitchell and Webb Look sketches when the show was introduced to iPlayer.

A spokesperson for the BBC said at the time: "This is a 20-year-old sketch show; in consultation with the programme makers, we have included the ones that still work today and not the ones that don’t."