BBC faces backlash for ‘blurring Ricky Wilson’s trans rights t-shirt’-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

The BBC has been criticised for appearing to blur a pro-trans rights t-shirt worn by Ricky Wilson.

Appearing on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show on Friday night (February 3), the Kaiser Chiefs star proudly sported a shirt with the slogan ‘Trans rights are human rights.’

Understandably, the outfit choice generated a lot of chatter online, with social media users praising Ricky for his allyship.

However, plenty noticed that the text looked blurry from certain camera angles, prompting debate about whether it was obscured deliberately.

Ricky, 46, initially had no idea he was going to be appearing on national television.

Instead, he was pranked by comedian Michael in typically chaotic style.

Ricky Wilson appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show wearing a pro-trans rights shirt, which viewers believe was blurred (Picture: BBC)

His shirt was later easily legible as he performed to the crowd (Picture: BBC)

This only prompted further praise from fans, who loved how Ricky clearly wasn’t wearing the tee for cameras, but merely while going about his daily life.

Praising him, transgender journalist and activist India Willoughby wrote on X: ‘Nice one, Ricky Wilson!’

She also called out the BBC for seemingly censoring the slogan: ‘Shocking. BBC blurring out “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” on Ricky Wilson’s tshirt when in full view on #MichaelMcIntyresBigShow #BigShow #MichaelMcIntyre . Institutionally transphobic.’

User c_m_land wrote: ‘Ricky Wilson, what a legend. Shame that the producers decided it needed to be blurred out mind’.

‘I see the BBC blurring Ricky Wilson’s “trans rights are human rights shirt” on the Michael McIntyre thing. Does the BBC not believe trans people deserve to have rights everyone else has?’, agreed KaskaJessica.

‘Ricky Wilson appears on #MichaelMcIntyre’s #BigShow wearing a “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” shirt in a climate where trans people are literally killed for being themselves…and the BBC *blur out the shirt*. Jesus Christ. Seriously, get complaining. Hell needs raising here’, wrote TrilbeeReviews.

Ricky was subjected to a prank thanks to comedian Michael (Picture: BBC)

‘It’s a disgrace, I’ll be complaining, not that it will make a difference!’, noted RainbowandCoUK.

However, others suggested the ‘blurring’ wasn’t intentional, given how the slogan could be read with ease once Ricky was on the main stage.

‘seeing lots of people complain about the bbc blurring ricky wilson’s t-shirt here but to me it looks like it’s just poor camera quality ? it doesn’t look blurred it just looks low res’, wrote lgbtqiadhdoid.

Regardless, there was a lot of love for Ricky online, with him being hailed as ‘a proper ally’.

The musician got the shock of his life when he was surprised at his Virgin Radio UK drivetime show, starting with a call from Michael with a fake Bristolian accent, pretending to be a listener called Richard Dickinson who was entering a competition to win £1000 and tickets to a Kaiser Chiefs gig.

To win, ‘Richard’ just had to answer just one question: ‘What did the band predict was going to happen in 2004?’

Of course, the answer was obviously about their hit tune I Predict A Riot, but Richard instead said that the group predicted a volcanic eruption.

Disguised as Richard, Michael told Ricky: ‘I didn’t know you did predictions.’

Ricky was bewildered throughout the exchange and, even once the call had finished, he had no clue he was being filmed for the BBC programme.

But the fun didn’t cease there, oh no. Michael wasn’t done.

Towards the end of his show, Ricky believed he was going to test out a funhouse for Virgin Radio.

As he jumped over inflatables and down a huge slide into a ball pit, he arrived on the main stage of the Big Show to a cheering audience and a very jolly Michael.

His Kaiser Chiefs bandmates had been in on the prank the whole time, and began playing I Predict A Riot while Ricky looked out to the screaming crowd, totally bamboozled.

The Kaiser Chiefs frontman has been praised for showing ‘proper allyship’ (Picture: Mariano Regidor/Redferns)

But, it didn’t take long for him to catch on and slot straight back into frontman mode, finishing the song and delighting the studio audience.

After the performance, Ricky worked out that the mystery caller was, in fact, Michael himself.

When asked by Michael how he gave such a great impromptu performance of his hit song, Ricky joked: ‘I could sing that in a hurricane.’

The BBC has been contacted for comment.

Michael McIntyre’s Big Show airs on Saturdays on BBC One and iPlayer.

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