Outrage as comedian Harry Enfield says ‘c**n’ live on BBC Radio 4

Harry Enfield sparked outrage today by using the word ‘c**n’ live on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme as he defended dressing in blackface.

The comedian was involved in a debate with host Nick Robinson and comedian and writer Ava Vidal on the breakfast show. 

‘Obviously, Al Jolson or GH Elliott who played the Chocolate Coloured C**n, in the thirties, they perpetuated the myth of the happy negro, who was very happy to sing under the crack of the whip. Obviously that’s deeply offensive,’ Enfield said on Radio 4.

Robinson replied: ‘Let’s just to be clear Harry because there will be lots of people offended by that term but you’re using it in inverted commas – let’s not repeat it.’

‘Well, that was his name on stage,’ Enfield responded.

‘But I’ve played Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, David Cameron – four Prime Ministers. Say if Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister. I would find it difficult that I would not be allowed to play him because of the colour of his skin,’ he continued.

The debate followed Little Britain being removed from Netflix, BBC iPlayer and BritBox amid concerns that the use of blackface characters on the series is no longer acceptable. 

Enfield and Paul Whitehouse have faced criticism in their sketch series Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry and Paul for their depiction of Nelson Mandela appearing on adverts selling various narcotics and promoting shoplifting. 

‘At the time, there was a lot of things in the paper about drugs, so I made him a drug dealer, or a peddler of alcopops to children and things like that, which I thought was so wrong it was alright. I wouldn’t do it now, but I don’t think I regret it,’ Enfield added. 

‘I definitely think there should still be a conversation about it.’  

Enfield was condemned by listeners on social media for his comments on the programme.

One Twitter user wrote: Listening to Harry Enfield saying ‘c**n’ on @BBCr4today (‘but that’s what he was called!’) is not really how I wanted to start the day.’

Following the interview Vidal wrote on Twitter: ‘Tim Nice But Dim.’ Not a character. Who tf knew?!’