Ant and Dec slammed for ‘lazy stereotypes’ of Mexicans in Takeaway promo

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Ant and Dec have been criticised for using ‘lazy stereotypes’ of Mexican people to promote the return of Saturday Night Takeaway.

The Geordie duo, both 45, wore Sombreros on set while filming the show’s new series, in a nod to an earlier occasion when they wore the same outfits in 2002.

Ant and Dec – who had to apologise last year after dressing up in “blackface” on the same show in the early 2000s – were also seen shaking maracas in the video, which was posted to their shared Instagram account.

The British Mexican Society has criticised the skit, saying the pair should “know there is so much more to Mexican culture than lazy stereotypes”.

In the video, Dec starts shaking the maracas and Ant quips: “See what I mean, it’s constant man.



Ant and Dec have been criticised for using 'lazy stereotypes' of Mexican people to promote the return of Saturday Night Takeaway
Ant and Dec have been criticised for using ‘lazy stereotypes’ of Mexican people to promote the return of Saturday Night Takeaway

“Imagine going on holidays with him.

“This is what he’s like. Morning, noon, and night. Maracas, maracas, maracas. It drives us crackers!”

As Dec continues to make a racket, Ant adds: “You’re missing the sombrero.”

Dec admits: “In the promo shot we did in 2002, I had maracas and a sombrero but it is my least favourite promo shot of Saturday Night Takeaway.”



Dec shook some maracas
Dec shook some maracas



The video was a nod to an earlier occasion when they wore the same outfits in 2002
The video was a nod to an earlier occasion when they wore the same outfits in 2002

Ant goes off to get the hats, which they then put on while traditional Mexican music plays.

They captioned the post: “Oi, mind me maracas!

“Bit of silly filming for the new ITV Takeaway, back on your tellies this Saturday.”

A British Mexican Society spokesman said: “I think Mexicans are much more worried about so-called fashion designers appropriating the work of indigenous Mexicans without paying them fairly.



Dec said he didn't like that promo
Dec said he didn’t like that promo

“And the fact that the country is dealing with the disastrous effects of a global pandemic to worry about these guys who should know there is so much more to Mexican culture than lazy stereotypes.

“When it is safe to travel they should get to know the real Mexico, I’m sure they would love it.”

Last year Ant and Dec were forced to issue an apology for wearing “black face” – dressing up as people of colour – in historic Saturday Night Takeaway skits

The apology came in wake of the Black Lives Matter movement following unarmed Black man George Floyd being killed by a cop in Minneapolis, US.



Ant wasn't impressed with Dec's lack of enthusiasm for the hats in the video
Ant wasn’t impressed with Dec’s lack of enthusiasm for the hats in the video

Matt Lucas and David Walliams were also forced to apologize for their use of blackface in Little Britain.

In a joint statement at the time Ant an Dec said: “During past episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway we impersonated people of colour in the undercover segment of the show.

“We realise this was wrong and want to say that we sincerely sorry to everyone that was offended.



They both couldn't control their laughter in the video
They both couldn’t control their laughter in the video

“We purposely stopped doing this several years ago and certainly would not make these sketches today.

“We had already taken steps to ensure footage was taken down and have again recently confirmed with ITV that these segments, and any other historical content, that could cause offence, does not appear on either the ITV Hub or the Saturday Night Takeaway YouTube channel.”

ITV has been approached for comment.

*Saturday Night Takeaway returns to ITV at 7pm on Saturday

Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/ant-dec-slammed-lazy-stereotypes-23524703

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