Gypsies protest against 'Big Fat Gyspy Weddings': 'We've had enough'

Big Fat Gypsy Weddings has sparked protests from the traveller community in London.

The London Gypsy and Traveller Unit (LGTU) gave a collective letter to Channel 4's Westminster headquarters today complaining about the stereotypes portrayed in the show and the broadcaster's advertising campaign for the second series, which included billboards with the words "Bigger Fatter Gypsier".



"What does 'Gypsier' mean in this context and what do the images say about being a Gypsy?" the LGTU said in its open letter.

"The stereotype promoted is that of apparently alluring girls and young women and of menacing young men.

"It is hurtful and damaging to use the correct descriptive term for an ethnic group as a sly dig at that group.

"We wonder if Channel 4 would have been so ready to use adverts with similarly compromising images and phrases like 'Jewisher' or 'more Asian' or 'Blacker'?"

Irish traveller Christine Crawley told London 24 that her daughter had been bullied and called a "prostitute" because of the show's representation of the gypsy community.

Channel 4 said in a statement: "The word 'gypsier' refers to the fact that this series offers even greater access and insight to the communities featured, and the terms 'gyspy' or 'gypsier' are not being used in a negative context.

"Everyone featured in the campaign has seen the posters and is happy with them. All images were taken with full consent and all aspects of the poster campaign fully comply with advertising guidelines."

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