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BBC defends digitally scrubbing Bethany Antonia's 'Protect the Dolls' trans slogan from Strictly broadcast

BBC defends digitally scrubbing Bethany Antonia's 'Protect the Dolls' trans slogan from Strictly broadcast
Antonia, whose T-shirt slogan was first shown intact in a BBC Instagram video posted on 9 October before being quietly replaced with an edited version.
Antonia, whose T-shirt slogan was first shown intact in a BBC Instagram video posted on 9 October before being quietly replaced with an edited version.

The BBC has stood firm after viewers caught it blurring a pro-trans slogan off House of the Dragon actress Bethany Antonia's T-shirt during Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing, then quietly deleting and replacing social media footage that showed the original wording. The broadcaster insisted the move was 'standard practice' applied to any branding or slogan, regardless of its message, but trans activists called it outright censorship.

Antonia, 28, wore the 'Protect the Dolls' top in rehearsals with partner Nancy Xu — the slogan was blurred front-on and the original Instagram clip replaced with an edited version.

The T-shirt, designed by Conner Ives with proceeds going to trans charities, has reportedly been worn publicly by Pedro Pascal, Madonna and Troye Sivan.

Furious fans branded the BBC 'despicable' and 'cowardly', with the row landing weeks after the corporation axed RuPaul's Drag Race after 11 series.

MoreWales OnlineStrictly fans slam 'despicable' BBC editing of Bethany Antonia's t-shirt - Wales Onlineradiotimes.comBBC responds after Strictly edits out Bethany Antonia's "Protect the Dolls' T-shirt from broadcasthuffingtonpost.co.ukBBC Addresses Claims That Strictly StarThe TelegraphTrans activists criticise BBC over Strictly ‘censorship’MetroStrictly Come Dancing’s Bethany Antonia’s trans ally T-shirt edited out of show by BBCThe GuardianBBC defends editing out trans rights slogan on Strictly contestant’s T-shirtEvening StandardStrictly blasted for 'shamefully' editing out contestant's trans rights message - but BBC defends the moveexpress.co.ukBBC responds as 'disappointing' Strictly Come Dancing editing sparks backlash - Daily Expressthepinknews.comBBC stands firm as 'Protect The Dolls' T-shirt edited out
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