EXCLUSIVE: Bethany Antonia says she felt ‘devastated’ after BBC censored her ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt

Strictly Come Dancing star Bethany Antonia says she felt “devastated” after the BBC digitally removed the ‘Protect the Dolls’ slogan from her T-shirt, telling Gaydio she had “no sympathy or understanding” for the decision.

The actor, who was filmed wearing the T-shirt alongside her professional dance partner Nancy Xu, saw the slogan removed from rehearsal footage broadcast on Strictly. The design, created by Conner Ives, has become a symbol of support for trans women, with proceeds from sales going to UK trans charity Not A Phase.

Speaking to Dave Cooper on Gaydio Breakfast in an interview airing on Friday 6 November, Bethany explained how the decision had affected her.

“Personally, I felt devastated. To me, support for the trans community is not something that's up for discussion, and not something that's up for editing or not something that's up for being hidden,” she said.

Bethany explained that she had not initially realised the BBC's decision was linked to the T-shirt's association with a charity, but felt the slogan itself did not deserve to be removed.

She also said her biggest fear was that viewers would think she supported the decision to censor it.

When Dave asked whether she had any sympathy for the BBC's position, given the broadcaster's editorial guidelines, Bethany was clear about her frustration.

“I think there's never been a more frustrating time to be a queer person working with a company that has these beliefs, if I'm very honest,” she said.

“To me, the T-shirt is no different to wearing the poppy. And I think I'm going to have to spend a lot of time trying to get my head around that decision. But there's only so much you can do from the inside when you're in this environment.”

Asked directly whether she understood the BBC's decision, Bethany replied: “I felt no sympathy or understanding, if I'm honest.”

 

 

 

 

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The BBC has previously told Gaydio that its editorial guidelines advise against badges, flags, emblems, symbols and clothing with obvious branding or slogans being visible during filming. It said decisions on any edits are made between programme makers and the BBC.

Bethany said she was looking forward to being able to wear the T-shirts “out and proud” away from the BBC's filming environment.