FATHER Ted favourite Ardal O'Hanlon has slammed the "truly ridiculous" trigger warning slapped on old episodes of the much-loved comedy.

The 59-year-old actor, who played loveable Father Dougal McGuire in the long-running series, agreed with Good Morning Britain anchor Richard Madeley, 68, on the "preposterous" nature of the changes.

6

6

6

Earlier this month, The Sun was first to report how Channel 4 had issued the alert on an "offensive" episode.

Telly bosses feared 1998 episode Are You Right There, Father Ted could upset today’s viewers because of its language and scenes of racial impersonation.

During Thursday's episode of the ITV daytime show, Richard brought up the issue of debate, blasting the warning as "preposterous."

The former This Morning anchor, who was fronting GMB with Kate Garraway, 57, then added: "What could be more gentle than Father Ted?"

READ MORE GMB

his one and only

Chesney Hawkes breaks down in tears over death of best mate live on GMB

'POLITICAL THEATRE'

Putin WON'T stop me reporting on Russia, blasts Sun journalist on GMB

Irish comedian Ardal then replied: "I am with you on that, I don't get it.

"You should have a trigger warning in a supermarket.

"Where do we start, and where do we end?

"It's truly ridiculous."

Most read in News TV

BYE FOR NOW

Reality star reveals she’s QUIT hit show after two years on air

TIME TO MOVE

Axed Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reveals new job after BBC show exit

ICE SAY!

Dancing On Ice star 'dating NFL player after sliding into his DMs'

off air

BBC show cancelled TONIGHT in schedule shake-up as Helen Skelton lands TV special

EPISODE FLAGGED

The Father Ted episode in question includes a sequence where Ted, played by Dermot Morgan, appears to mock the Chinese wearing a lampshade on his head and later looks like Hitler thanks to some furious arm gestures and a well-placed mark on the window.

The misunderstanding sees the priest spend the rest of the episode trying to convince the island he was not “a bit of a racist”.

The plot point was deemed triggering by Channel 4’s streaming service, with a warning reading: “This episode was made in 1998 and contains language and racial impersonation which some viewers may find offensive.”

Free Speech Union leader Toby Young said: “The language and behaviour was ‘offensive’ in 1998 — that was the point.

“This episode was mocking the hyper-sensitivity of our age, something that was already apparent 27 years ago.

“For Channel 4 to attach a trigger warning shows that nothing has changed.

Good Morning Britain presenters

Current presenters:

• Susanna Reid (presenters Monday to Wednesday and alternate Thursdays) - 2014 to present

• Kate Garraway (presenters alternate Thursdays and Fridays) - 2014 to present

• Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert) - 2021 to present

• Richard Madeley (presents Monday to Thursday) - 2022 to present

• Ed Balls (presents on a rotating basis) - 2022 to present

• Adil Ray (presents on Fridays) - 2024 to present 

• Robert Rinder (presents on a rotating basis) - 2024 to present

• Charlotte Hawkins (stand in and holiday cover presenter) 2014 to present

Former presenters: 

• Ben Shephard (Thursdays and Fridays) - 2014 to 2024

• Sean Fletcher (Monday–Friday) - 2014

• John Stapleton (Wednesday) - 2014

• Piers Morgan (Monday to Wednesday) - 2015 to 2021

• Lorraine Kelly (Monday to Friday) - 2022

“The scolds and finger-waggers are as humourless as ever.”

It comes as Father Ted celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

6

6

6