Ricky Gervais mocks ‘fragile’ people amid Roald Dahl debate

Ricky Gervais made fun of ‘fragile’ people while humorously wading into the debate surrounding the publishing of Roald Dahl’s classic books.

Puffin has come under fire for changes to many of Roald’s most famous children’s classics to remove words like ‘fat’, and the issue sparked fierce debate.

On Friday, the publisher announced the launch of the Roald Dahl Classic Collection “to keep the author’s classic texts in print,” claiming they had “heard the debate.”

Expressing his views on the matter, comedian Ricky, 61, took to Twitter on Friday to mock the edit, describing people as “fragile” and “easily offended.”

He jokingly questioned whether his stand-up shows would be changed after his death to remove words like ‘fat’ and ‘ugly’, as well as profanity.

Edit: Puffin has come under fire for changes to many of Roald’s most famous children’s classics to remove words like “fat,” and the issue sparked fierce debate.

In an expletive-laden post, he wrote: This is me pondering whether to change any of the words I’ve used in my work after I’m dead, to save those who are fragile and easily offended.

‘Words like ‘fat’ and ‘ugly’. And ‘c***’ and ‘f**k’. And ‘fat, ugly, greedy, pathetic, stupid little son of a bitch’. Things like that.’

In response to his comments, one person pointed out that his sketches are not aimed at children, claiming that it can be difficult to explain ‘hurtful’ words to children.

To which the funnyman replied: ‘Yes, I know […]. That was a joke.’

In another tweet, he shared a humorous selfie of himself with an unflattering face while joking: “I changed my mind.” I think we should ban the words ‘fat’ and ‘ugly’. Without reason.’

It comes after Puffin announced that Roald’s classic books will still be republished unedited after much public debate.

The raw versions will now sit alongside the newly released versions, which have been controversially rewritten, still generating outrage. Some have said that Puffin still needs to go further and cancel the censored remakes entirely.

Read and loved by tens of millions, Roald’s 17 books will be available later this year and will include archival material relevant to each of the beloved children’s author’s stories.

Debate: Expressing his views on the matter, comedian Ricky, 61, took to Twitter on Friday to mock the debate while describing people as “fragile” and “easily offended.”

Funnyman: In another tweet, he shared a selfie of himself with an unflattering face while joking: ‘I changed my mind. I think we should ban the words ‘fat’ and ‘ugly’. Without reason’

Puffin sparked a revisionism spat after they decided words like ‘fat’ should be dropped, meaning The Chocolate Factory’s Charlie and Augustus Gloop can now only be referred to as ‘huge’ and the Oompa Loompas are becoming gender neutral .

The ‘terrible ugliness’ of Mrs Twit has become ‘ugliness’ and Mrs Hoppy in Esio Trot is not an ‘attractive middle-aged lady’ but a ‘kind middle-aged lady’.

The publisher has also added passages not written by Roald, who died in 1990.

In The Witches, a paragraph describing them as bald under their wigs is briefly followed by a new line: “There are plenty of other reasons women might wear wigs and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.”

Puffin said in a statement this afternoon that they will be releasing two versions of each book: the original and newer edits.

Francesca Dow, Managing Director of Penguin Random House Children’s, said: ‘We at Puffin have been proud to publish Roald Dahl stories for over 40 years in association with the Roald Dahl Story Company. His mischievous spirit and unique narrative genius have delighted the imaginations of readers for many generations.

“We heard last week’s discussion that reaffirmed the extraordinary power of Roald Dahl’s books and the very real questions about how stories from another era can stay relevant to each new generation.

‘As a children’s publisher, our role is to share the magic of stories with children with the greatest thought and care. Roald Dahl’s fantastic books are often the first stories young children will read independently, and nurturing the rapidly developing imaginations and minds of young readers is both a privilege and a responsibility.

‘We also recognize the importance of keeping Dahl’s classic texts in print. By making both the Puffin and Penguin versions available, we are giving readers the choice to decide how they experience Roald Dahl’s wonderful and magical stories.”

She added: ‘Roald Dahl once said, ‘If my books can help children become readers, then I feel like I’ve accomplished something important.’ At Puffin, we will continue to pursue that ambition as long as we make books.’

Puffin says he made the changes so that Dahl’s works “can continue to be enjoyed by all today.”

Protest: Puffin announced that Roald’s classic books will still be republished unedited, along with new versions of the book, after much public debate.

Going in: King Charles’s wife Camilla spoke at a reception with many top writers amid anger that editors have hired ‘sensitivity gurus’ to remove ‘offensive’ language

On Thursday, King Charles’s wife, Camilla, spoke at a reception with many of Britain’s top writers amid anger that publishers have hired “sensitivity gurus” to remove “offensive” language from books. Roald’s.

She told the authors: “Please stay true to your calling, unhindered by those who wish to restrict your freedom of expression or impose limits on your imagination.” The 73-year-old royal looked up with a mischievous smile, adding: “Enough said.”

His comments were met with laughter and cheers of ‘listen, listen!’ from bestselling authors including Sebastian Faulks, William Boyd, Ben Okri, Philippa Gregory, and Charlie Mackesy.

The queen consort told them: ‘Let there be no squealing like mice about your achievements, but only roaring like a pride of lions.’