Yahoo News New Great British Bake Off host Noel Fielding heavily criticised for black Bjorn Borg portrait
Noel Fielding may have just landed a presenting role on C4’s Great British Bake Off, but now he’s landed himself in a spot of hot water too.
The controversial comedian has appeared in a photo with black paint covering his face and body whilst wearing a blonde wig, supposedly posing as tennis ace Bjorn Borg.
The print is on sale for £800 through an art dealer, Hooligan Art, who has previously sold other pieces from his collection.
According to The Sun, campaigners feared that Noel’s latest portrait could be deemed offensive (for obvious reasons), but sources have defended the star saying he’s been painted in several colours for past TV sketches.
They told the tabloid: “There are characters in Noel’s Luxury comedy that are painted green, painted yellow, painted orange and painted black.
“This is a picture that is a still from that – it’s not blacking up – or anything like that. It’s a character that sits alongside many others of many different colours.
“It’s just a character and nothing else.”
They might need to find a better line of defence though, as social media users have criticised the provocative photo – with some labelling it “racist trash.”
One person wrote in response to recent reports: “I’ve always thought Noel Fielding was annoying and unfunny, so I feel vindicated here.”
As another added: “Noel Fielding (and The Mighty Boosh by extension) is racist trash that isn’t even funny, when will people learn this.”
And one simply wrote: “Well Noel Fielding is cancelled.”
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