“I thought you looked terrific” - Matt Lucas apologizes to Millie Bobby Brown after Little Britain’s Vicky Pollard comparison

British comedian Matt Lucas apologizes to actress Millie Bobby Brown, famous for Stranger Things. Lucas, who is known for his sketch comedies as well as for appearing in Alice in Wonderland and Bridesmaids, responded to Brown’s video posted to her Instagram that criticized media’s hurtful comments on her appearance.

In an earlier post, Matt Lucas had posted an image of Millie Bobby Brown in a fuchsia pink top, hoop earrings and a blonde updo alongside the catchphrase “No but yeah but.” The phrase was used in his sketch show dating to 2000, Little Britain, by the character Vicky Pollard who was known for her pink tops and blonde hair. Pollard was an exaggerated satirical character, played by Lucas himself.

In a video posted to Instagram on March 4, Brown spoke out about the hurtful comments of grown journalists on her appearance. She said,

“I want to take a moment to address something that I think is bigger than just me, something that affects every young woman who grows up under public scrutiny. I think it’s necessary to speak up about this. I started in this industry when I was 10 years old. 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.”

Picking out headlines with particularly upsetting language directed against her and her looks, Brown explained how she felt targeted. Moreover, while Brown pointed to a general trend in media coverage of celebrities like her who grow up under media attention, she also targeted Lucas and what she labeled as his ‘mockery’ of her. She said,

“‘Little Britain’s Matt Lucas takes savage swipe at Millie Bobby Brown’s new “mommy makeover” look’—written by Bethan Edwards, amplifying an insult rather than questioning why a grown man is mocking a young woman’s appearance. 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.”

Continuing, Brown asserted her choices by saying,

“I refuse to apologize for growing up. I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman. I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself.”

Matt Lucas’ response came a few hours later, when he took to Instagram as well to clarify his position. Lucas wrote,

“Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context. 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. I thought you looked terrific and was mortified when the press wrote I ‘slammed' you, firstly because that’s not my style, and secondly because I think you’re brilliant.”

Continuing, Lucas apologized, writing,

“I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that I apologise. Matt x”

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Millie Bobby Brown’s childhood in the media

Millie Bobby Brown, who appeared in television shows such as Modern Family and Grey’s Anatomy as a child actor, got her big break when she was cast in Netflix’s science-fiction show, Stranger Things, in 2016 as a 12-year-old.

In 2018, according to a report by People Magazine, Brown had to deactivate her Twitter (now X) account after facing a wave of online bullying. The young actress was targeted with the hashtag “#TakeDownMillieBobbyBrown,” and her images were used for homophobic tweets and memes.

Brown is sadly used to internet bullying. On her 16th birthday in 2020, she posted a montage of hurtful news headlines that targeted her over the years. Alongside the video, she wrote about the importance of the environment children grow up in, and emphasized the need for kindness and sensitivity. She also wrote,

“there are moments i get frustrated from the inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, sexualization, and unnecessary insults that ultimately have resulted in pain and insecurity for me. but not ever will i be defeated. ill continue doing what i love and spreading the message in order to make change.”

Being pushed into the limelight at such a young age, Millie Bobby Brown has used her fame to bring attention to the general tendency for bullying on the internet. With this latest episode, it has become clear that she will continue to speak up for herself and others like her who unwittingly become targets of online hate.