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Channel 4’s Diversity Workshop Blunder: White Comedian Invited to Black Female Comics Event!

BBG News

Channel 4’s diversity drive took an unexpected turn as comedian Maureen Younger said she was invited to a workshop aimed at Black female comics.

The Caucasian comedian referenced the invite during a performance at Soho House on Monday night.  

In conversation with the crowd, the comedian noted: ‘It’s actually factual. Due to my frequent appearances on Black comedy rosters, Channel Four thoughtfully extended an invitation to a comedy diversity seminar, recognizing me as one of Britain’s most active Black female stand-ups.’

‘I said, “Have you done your research?” They went, “We’ll provide lunch.”

‘I thought, you know what? A girl’s got to eat. It was actually a really nice lunch.’

The comedian and actor, who was placed third for British Comedian of the Year in 2023, added: ‘Despite being white and straight, I do a lot of gigs on the gay and Black comedy circuits.

In reality, I’m so active in both fields that there’s a possibility I could become one of Britain’s most prominent Black lesbian comedians. Could it be you, observing me, wondering… “comic?” Appreciate your thoughts, everyone.

‘But I once did a gig called Les Felicia comedy night, and on the poster, they wrote, “As an honorary lesbian, Maureen has performed at more gay events than many of the UK’s leading gay comedians today.” And that is ridiculous, guys.

‘That is what happens when you write your own quotes.’

Channel 4 faced similar ridicule when it wrongly captioned a video of Boris Johnson with subtitles referring to the race of immigrants. 

In December 2019, the then Prime Minister delivered a speech where he emphasized that strict immigration measures would attract “skilled individuals” to continue entering the UK.

But in Channel 4’s subtitles of the speech, the phrase was changed to become ‘people of colour’, with the video then being shared widely online by people insisting the wrongly-reported comments were racist.

The channel later apologised for the mistake, saying: ‘Boris Johnson says ‘people of talent’ not ‘people of colour’. Our earlier tweet was a mistake. We misheard and we apologise.’

But senior Conservatives accused the channel of trying to smear the Prime Minister.

During this election campaign, Party Chairman James Cleverly has frequently used the term “talented individuals” when discussing our points-based immigration policy.

At a rally in Derbyshire, Mr. Johnson stated, “We have the potential to make significant changes and improvements across various areas, such as taking charge of our immigration system once again after many years. This change would undoubtedly be beneficial.

‘I’m in favour of having people of talent come to this country but I think we should have it democratically controlled.’

The misquoted remarks were quickly taken advantage of by his adversaries, who accused him of making a racially insensitive statement.

Channel 4 has been approached for comment.

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2025-03-18 19:21

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