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BBC defends editing out trans rights slogan on Strictly contestant's T-shirt

Corporation says removal of 'Protect the Dolls' wording was standard practice to avoid overt branding or slogans

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
The BBC has defended its decision to edit out a transgender rights slogan from a T-shirt worn by Strictly Come Dancing contestant Bethany Antonia, saying it was standard practice to remove overt branding or slogans regardless of their message.

The actor Bethany Antonia was filmed during rehearsals wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan "Protect the Dolls", which has become a sign of support for the rights of trans women. Proceeds from sales of the T-shirt, designed by Conner Ives, are donated to the UK trans charity Not A Phase.

Footage shown on Saturday's live show, and later on the BBC's iPlayer platform, edited out the wording, making the T-shirt appear plain white. However, a social media video posted by the BBC last week had shown Antonia training in the T-shirt with her professional dance partner, Nancy Xu, with the slogan clearly visible.

A BBC spokesperson said: "As is standard practice on any entertainment show on the BBC and in line with our editorial guidelines, appropriate steps are taken to reduce the inclusion of any overt branding or slogans that may be present, regardless of the wording or statement in question."

Antonia has not commented on the BBC's editing. The corporation has previously edited clothing to meet editorial standards. In 2017, it blurred out a T-shirt worn by Clean Bandit singer Grace Chatto that expressed support for then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, during the pre-election period in which extra broadcasting impartiality rules apply.

The T-shirt had previously been worn by prominent figures including actors Pedro Pascal and Tilda Swinton, and singer Troye Sivan.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The editing highlights ongoing tensions between broadcaster impartiality rules and viewers' expectations of freedom of expression, particularly on issues of social identity.
  • The BBC's consistency in applying its guidelines is questioned when a message supporting a vulnerable group is removed while similar edits in other contexts have drawn less attention.
  • The incident may reignite debate about the BBC's neutrality in covering transgender rights and whether its editorial policies are applied even-handedly.

Background

The BBC has a long-standing policy of avoiding overt branding and political slogans on its entertainment programmes, aiming to maintain impartiality and avoid perceived endorsement. This policy applies across all content, from clothing to set design. A previous case in 2017 involved blurring a pro-Corbyn T-shirt on Clean Bandit's Grace Chatto during the pre-election period, when stricter impartiality rules are in force. The current edit occurred outside such a period, but the BBC states its standard guidelines still apply.

Key Perspectives

The BBC: Defends the edit as routine and content-neutral, stating that any overt branding or slogan is removed regardless of the message, to comply with editorial guidelines. Trans rights supporters and critics of the decision: Argue that the slogan "Protect the Dolls" is a statement of support for an often-marginalised group, and that editing it out could be seen as suppression of trans visibility. They may point to the previous visibility of the slogan in BBC's own social media footage. Media impartiality advocates: Support the BBC's consistent application of its rules, noting that any slogan risks being seen as an endorsement and that the policy treats all statements equally, regardless of content.

What to Watch

  • Whether further public criticism or organised complaints prompt the BBC to clarify or revise its guidelines on clothing slogans.
  • If Antonia or other participants comment publicly on the edit, potentially fuelling the debate.
  • The response from Not A Phase, the charity that receives proceeds from T-shirt sales, and whether the incident affects sales or awareness.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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