The BBC has removed or altered episodes of its Bafta-winning children's programme Horrible Histories, with edits affecting content depicting slavery, forced labour and Victorian child workers, according to multiple outlets.
An investigation by The Times reported that the cuts included material on chimney sweeps and a sketch showing Madame Tussaud making wax death masks from the severed heads of French Revolution victims, according to GB News.
Sky News reported that the scenes were removed to bring the programme into compliance with BBC editorial guidelines for children's television, though it did not detail which specific guideline was cited.
The Independent and The Times both reported that entire episodes or scenes covering slavery and child labour had been edited or removed, while GB News characterised the move as the BBC axing 'an entire episode.'
Horrible Histories, adapted from Terry Deary's book series, is an award-winning comedy programme aimed at children.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Independent reported the BBC edited episodes featuring slavery and child labour.
“BBC edit Horrible Histories episodes featuring slavery and child labour” — The Independent
Center
- Sky News reported the scenes were removed to comply with BBC editorial guidelines for children's TV.
“Horrible Histories scenes removed to comply with BBC editorial guidelines for children's TV” — Sky News
Right
- GB News reported the BBC removed an entire episode over slavery content, citing an investigation by The Times.
- GB News detailed specific removed content, including chimney sweep scenes and a Madame Tussaud sketch about French Revolution victims.
- The Times reported the BBC removed an episode featuring slavery and child labour.
“'Insane!' BBC removes entire Horrible Histories episode because it features slavery” — GB News
Questions readers ask
What happened with the BBC and Horrible Histories?
The BBC edited or removed episodes of its children's programme Horrible Histories that featured content on slavery and Victorian child labour, according to reports from The Independent, Sky News, GB News and The Times.
Why did the BBC make these edits?
Sky News reported the scenes were removed to comply with BBC editorial guidelines for children's television, though the specific guideline was not detailed.
What content was removed from the show?
According to GB News, the cuts included scenes on forced labour, Victorian child workers, chimney sweeps, and a sketch depicting Madame Tussaud making wax death masks from French Revolution victims.
How did left- and right-leaning outlets differ in their coverage?
Left-leaning and center outlets, such as The Independent and Sky News, framed the changes around editorial guideline compliance, while right-leaning outlets like GB News emphasised the scale of the cuts and quoted reactions calling the move 'insane.'
What is Horrible Histories?
Horrible Histories is a Bafta-winning children's comedy programme adapted from Terry Deary's popular book series.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- The IndependentLeft-leaningBBC edit Horrible Histories episodes featuring slavery and child labour
- Sky NewsCenterHorrible Histories scenes removed to comply with BBC editorial guidelines for children's TV
- GB NewsRight-leaning'Insane!' BBC removes entire Horrible Histories episode because it features slavery
- The TelegraphRight-leaningBBC removed Horrible Histories episode about child labour
- The TimesRight-leaningBBC removes Horrible Histories episode featuring slavery and child labour