'Woke' BBC pulls Bob Monkhouse Repair Shop episode after ‘sexist’ jokes backlash

An episode of the BBC’s Repair Shop has been pulled after a production staff member raised concerns over a "sexist" Bob Monkhouse joke.

The segment was set to feature volumes of handwritten joke books dating back to the 1960s, brought in by the late comedian’s writing partner Colin Edmonds and his adopted daughter Abigail Williams.

Originally planned as part of a tribute to Monkhouse later this year, the episode was shelved after a joke was flagged as offensive.

BBC bosses ultimately backed the decision to axe the segment, leaving repair experts "disheartened".

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One source told The Sun the move represented a "new low" for BBC "wokery".

"A production employee stumbled across a joke – no doubt written in the 1960s – and took offence, believing it to be sexist," the source said.

They added the decision was taken as a "collective decision" after it was raised by the staff member.

"Experts waiting to lovingly restore the historical joke books were disheartened.

"And Bob’s loved ones, who had agreed to participate in the show to talk passionately about his life, were at a loss.

"This has to be the corporation’s most embarrassing decision yet."

Monkhouse began compiling the journals in the 1960s, continuing until his death in 2003 at the age of 75.

Mr Edmonds has kept the archive in suitcases under his desk ever since.

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The books contain thousands of handwritten jokes, alongside cartoons and doodles - some featuring topless women and material now considered sexist.

Mr Edmonds previously said the jokes were "of their time".

"There are things that were acceptable in the Seventies which one wouldn’t dream of saying today," he added.

The BBC said the decision was a "production decision", which it had "supported out of consideration for all viewers".

It added that "production evaluates each and every item", with decisions made with audiences in mind.

Ricochet, the show’s production company, said: "Making decisions on which items to repair and include in the programme is part of the normal production process.

"These decisions are based on a range of factors."

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