Matt Lucas issued an apology to Millie Bobby Brown after the actress spoke up about being rudely critiqued by the media for her appearance. Brown specifically called out several headlines, including one that read, “Little Britain’s Matt Lucas takes savage swipe at Millie Bobby Brown’s new ‘mommy makeover’ look.”
“Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context,” Lucas responded on Instagram. “Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain. There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases.”
He continued, “I thought you looked terrific and I was mortified when the press wrote that I ‘slammed’ you, firstly because that’s not my style, and secondly because I think you’re brilliant. I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realize it has and for that I apologize.”
Lucas played the character of Vicky Pollard on Little Britain throughout its run from 2003-2006. The comedian shared a photo of Brown on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption, “no but yeah but.” The Daily Mail subsequently ran an article accusing Lucas of taking a “savage swipe” at the young actress.
In an emotional video shared earlier this week, Brown explained, “I started in this industry when I was 10 years old,” she said. “I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me. Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things Season 1. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”
She added of the media coverage around her looks, “This isn’t journalism. This is bullying. The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it’s disturbing. The fact that some of these articles are written by women? Even worse. We always talk about supporting and uplifting young women, but when the time comes, it seems easier to tear them down for clicks. Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs.”