BBC edited Horrible Histories and removed an episode

The BBC edited episodes of the children’s comedy Horrible Histories and removed one full episode from BBC iPlayer, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines for children’s programmes. The broadcaster said the edits were made seven years ago in consultation with the programme makers. Reports say the removed episode included storylines about slavery in ancient Rome, Victorian child workers and chimney sweeps. They also report that at least seven sketches or scenes were cut from episodes. The BBC has not provided an itemized account of the material affected or the reasoning behind each edit in the information available. Among the reported examples is a sketch about Roman slavery that presented a galley as an airline flight, with enslaved rowers chained to their oars and told they could not escape if the ship sank. Another reportedly showed a Victorian boy being sent into a narrow chimney and told, “Try not to die.” These descriptions have been reported as content from the removed episode; a complete episode catalogue or direct platform record was not provided.