The UK Advertising Standards Authority is to investigate complaints made last year about the advertising campaign surrounding Channel 4’s last series of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding after an independent inquiry faulted its original decision not to investigate.
The programme was heralded by a billboard campaign throughout Britain under the slogan “Bigger, Fatter, Gypsier”, which provoked anger from the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain and led to hundreds of complaints to the ASA.
However, the authority decided last year not to investigate – a decision it has now reversed following a critical report from independent reviewer Sir Hayden Philips, who recommended a proper inquiry.
Saying the decision would be “highly embarrassing” for Channel 4 and Honda – which sponsors all of Channel 4’s documentary output – the director of the Traveller movement Yvonne MacNamara said it was a “great victory for Travellers and gypsies” and could mark a “turning point” in their portrayal in the UK media.
