Graham Linehan gig axed as venue unaware Father Ted creator was on the line-up

15 August 2023 , 23:10

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The comedy writer had been due to perform at the comedy event in Scotland

Graham Linehan, best known for his controversial gender views and creating comedy series Father Ted, has seen his comedy show in Scotland cancelled amid complaints.

An Edinburgh venue has axed the Comedy Unleashed event featuring Linehan, a vocal critic of the majority of aspects of the trans rights movement, which was due to take place on Thursday. However, a "cancellation announcement" was shared to social media on Tuesday confirming it would not be going ahead.

Linehan has created or co-created the sitcoms Father Ted (1995–1998), Black Books (2000–2004) and The IT Crowd (2006–2013) but has become better known for his opinions and social media posts over recent years. Following an episode of The IT Crowd being criticised as transphobic and not ageing well years on from it first airing, Linehan became involved in anti-transgender activism.

The comedy writer is better known for his opinions on the trans community these days (BBC)

The Irish comedy writer, who says he has lost his TV career and marriage due to his vocal opinions, has previously attracted criticism for arguing that transgender activism endangers women and he has likened the use of puberty blockers to Nazi eugenics. Prior to Elon Musk taking over Twitter, Linehan was banned from the platform now known as X for breaking its rules around hateful conduct with comments about trans people.

Leith Arches posted the "cancellation announcement" on Instagram on Tuesday, saying: "We would like to thank members of the public and our community for bringing to our attention a comedy act billed to perform at our venue this Thursday. We were not made aware of the line-up of this show in advance. We have made the decision to cancel this show, as we are an inclusive venue and this does not align with our overall values."

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Advertising for the Comedy Unleashed event had said a "famous ‘cancelled’ comedian" would be among those performing. They billed it as an “Edinburgh Fringe Event”, though it does not appear on the official line-up. Reacting to the news, Linehan tweeted: "Holy s**t the venue has cancelled the WHOLE GIG because I’m on the bill."

In a subsequent reply to a supporter, he added: “We’ll find a venue and we’ll sue the Leith Arches if we don’t. In all conscience, I cannot withhold from the world my fifteen minutes of under-rehearsed stand-up comedy about pizzas.” Linehan then told another Twitter user the event had been "sold out”.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Comedy Unleashed wrote: "The venue (Leith Arches) has cancelled our gig this Thursday following pressure from censorious activists. Is there an #Edfringe venue that believes in free artistic expression that will host us?"

PA