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Big Fat Gypsy Weddings advert criticised
Page last updated at 16:08 GMT, Thursday, 16 February 2012
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The word 'Gypsier' in this advert is offending some of the traveller community
Channel 4 has been criticised over a series of posters promoting the TV series Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
The billboards for the second series of the show use the words "Bigger. Fatter. Gypsier".
The London Gypsy and Travellers Unit, a charity which represents the travelling community, has said the word "gypsier" is "shocking".
It has also criticised the "inappropriate use" of children in the posters.
Channel 4 insists the word "gypsier" reflects the "greater insight into the travelling community" which is shown during series two.
Gill Brown, from the London Gypsy and Travellers Unit, wrote a letter to Channel 4, with the support of two members of the London Assembly.
She wrote: "We wonder if Channel 4 would have been so ready to use adverts with similarly compromising images phrasing for other ethnic groups: 'Jewisher' or 'more Asian' or 'Blacker'?"
She has asked Channel 4 to remove the adverts and apologise.
Channel 4 statementThe word gypsier refers to the fact that this series offers even greater access and insight to the communities featured, and the terms 'gypsy' or 'gypsier' are not being used in a negative context
In a statement, Channel 4 responded to the criticism: "The advertising campaign builds on the celebratory nature of the first series of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
"It is a take on the well-established programme title which in itself is a spoof of the title of a well-known Hollywood film.
"The word 'gypsier' refers to the fact that this series offers even greater access and insight to the communities featured, and the terms 'gypsy' or 'gypsier' are not being used in a negative context."
The Advertising Standards Authority says it has received 97 complaints about the adverts so far.
On a traveller site in Peterborough not every person agreed with the London Gypsy Travellers Unit assessment.
One resident on the site, who called herself Smith, said: "No, I'm not offended [by the word 'gypsier']. I am a gypsy. I am what I am and proud of it."
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