The BBC has edited several episodes of its children's sketch comedy series, Horrible Histories, to ensure compliance with editorial standards for children's television. A full episode that included storylines on slavery, Victorian child labour, and chimney sweeps has also been entirely removed by the broadcaster.
According to The Times, a minimum of seven sketches or scenes have been taken down. These include a segment depicting Madame Tussaud crafting wax masks from decapitated heads and a sketch featuring white actors using darker makeup to portray ancient Incas or Egyptians, which has been removed from BBC iPlayer.
Actor Mathew Baynton, who appeared in the programme, previously acknowledged in 2022 that the show's representation of Egyptians could be challenged, stating, "Because I played Egyptians, you know, for example, where you’d get a spray tan, essentially, and stand in your pants."
A spokesperson for the BBC confirmed that "The edits to Horrible Histories were made seven years ago, in consultation with the programme makers, to ensure the series meets our editorial guidelines for children’s programmes." The series, based on Terry Deary's book collection, originally aired on CBBC between 2009 and 2014.