Anne Hegerty let rip on former UKIP leader Gerard Batten after he claimed the Vicar of Dibley is a ‘Satanist’.
The Chase star – who also appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2018 – branded the politician an ‘idiot’ after he claimed the BBC should be defunded because actress Dawn French wore an upside down cross in the beloved sitcom.
He tweeted: ‘Dawn French, the BBC’s Vicar of Dibley wears an upside down cross. This is a symbol of Satanism.
‘This isn’t a prop depart mistake. This is what we are forced to pay the License Fee for. DEFUND the BBC! (sic)’
However, his post caught the eye of The Governess herself, and she shared it with her followers with a scathing remark.
She wrote: ‘I can’t work out if you’re an idiot or this is a huge joke.’
Batten – who led UKIP from 2018 to 2019 – retweeted her post, and insisted he was ‘surprised’ his original tweet ‘triggered so many people’.
Many pointed out that in Christianity, the upside down cross is typically a nod to St. Peter, who requested to be crucified upside down because he didn’t deem himself worthy to die in the same was as Jesus.
However, Batten continued: ‘They haven’t said ‘she is signifying her reverence for St Peter’. A statement that would have to be defended.
‘They deny it’s a symbol of mockery & Satanism – which it is. I’m surprised so many noticed or cared.’
Away from the drama, Dawn will be back as Geraldine Granger for three 10-minute specials over Christmas.
In one episode, her character will take the knee and deliver a powerful Black Lives Matter sermon calling out racism following the death of George Floyd.
The other episode will see the vicar coping with life in lockdown, including booze and virtual quizzes.
And in an emotional turn, the sitcom will also pay tribute to Dawn’s late co-star Emma Chambers, who played Alice Tinker on the show.
Credit: Original article published here.
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