| The Images Which Left The Royals Spitting Mad |
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| Written by Joanne Leyland | |
| Wednesday, 29 March 2006 | |
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Page 2 of 5 In February 1984, whilst the media was still excitedly reporting on Diana's newly revealed second pregnancy, a television show like no other appeared on TV screens. For over ten years, it would wreak havoc on the public perception of the Royal Family and other senior public figures. Using latext puppets and the voices of impersonators to offer a fresh, comedic angle on the news of the day, Spitting Image would truly revolutionise the way in which the Royal Family was viewed by the public and media alike. However, just hours before ITV broadcast the very first episode on Sunday 26th February 1984, royal sensibilities were being protected. Aware that Prince Philip was to be visiting their new Nottingham Studios the following Friday, the board of Central Television 'ordered' the team behind Spitting Image to remove absolutely every reference to the Royal Family from the first episode of their new satirical show "as a matter of courtesy" to the Queen's husband. Such censorship would not last. 
But whilst it was later revealed that senior politicians were literally clamouring to be portrayed in puppet form — Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine even went on to bid for his puppet — the Palace was not amused by what it saw. |
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