Ben Elton says cancel culture is 'not remotely threatening' comedy and says 'exactly what I want'

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Elton said that although the world has 'changed' he continues to speak his mind
The comedian, 63, last night appeared on revival of Channel 4's Friday Night Live
Elton admitted it is the job of the comedian to 'circumnavigate' changes today

Published: 07:46 EDT, 22 October 2022 | Updated: 08:23 EDT, 22 October 2022

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World-famous comedian Ben Elton has claimed that cancel culture is not 'remotely threatening' comedy, who continues to say 'exactly what I want', he says.

Speaking before last night's one-off revival of the 1980s Channel 4 show Friday Night Live, Elton, 63, said that although the world had 'changed', he continues to speak his mind and hasn't been cancelled.

In an interview with the BBC, he admitted that it is largely the job of the comedian to 'circumnavigate' the changes in clever and interesting ways.

World-famous comedian Ben Elton has claimed that cancel culture is not 'remotely threatening' comedy, who continues to say 'exactly what I want', he says

He said: said: 'There are language rules, there always have been. They change. It is the job of the comedian to circumnavigate that.

'I have always had to mind my language in various ways and I hope that I have found clever and interesting ways to do that.'

Elton added that he had just performed 150 gigs where he 'said exactly what I wanted'.

He explained: 'I did not get cancelled, I spoke my mind and yes I did speak about trans and race and identity and we had a lot of laughs.'

Although the comedian continues to say what he pleases, he did admit that the temperature of social media debates on various contemporary issues had given him pause for thought.

Although the comedian continues to say what he pleases, he did admit that the temperature of social media debates on various contemporary issues had given him pause for thought

'In our modern Twitter world sometimes the radical people you'd like to be supporting are being so in your face that you want to say: 'Well, give me a second to think about this'.'

Last night, Elton kicked off his Friday Night Live Channel 4 special with a savage dig at Liz Truss, after she announced her resignation as Prime Minister two days ago.

Ms Truss announced she was stepping down as Prime Minister after only 44 days, making her the shortest running PM in history.

And of course, Elton couldn’t help but start off the beloved show, as part of celebrations for Channel 4’s 40th anniversary, with a jibe at the latest events.

Starting his show, he began: ‘In these grim and difficult days there couldn’t be a better time to spread love and laughter,’ adding: ‘But while we’re doing that please spare a thought for poor Liz Truss, who resigned yesterday, thus putting a merciful end to the most pointlessly destructive, eye-wateringly expensive, ego-driven carcrash of a delusional vanity project since Simon Cowell had his face lift project!’

Last night, Elton kicked off his Friday Night Live Channel 4 special with a savage dig at Liz Truss, after she announced her resignation as Prime Minister two days ago

He later joked: ‘Back in the day, I used to have a go at Mrs Thatch, but credit where credits due, at least I knew she would still be in power at the end of the programme.’

Elton continued: ‘How did this great nation end up in such a monumental catastrophe?’ before answering: ‘Well we know how… it was the Conservative party!’

Elton then turned to Boris Johnson for a few digs, joking that he couldn’t ‘get Brexit done’ in the same way that divorces aren’t simple.

‘Blimey, he’s dumped enough Baby Mamas in his time that you’d think he would have worked that out, wouldn’t you?!’ he said, leaving viewers in hysterics.

Cancel Culture Ben Elton BBC Channel 4