BBC defends The Vicar of Dibley after fans brand the Christmas special an ‘abomination’

THE BBC has defended The Vicar of Dibley after fans branded the Christmas special an ‘abomination’.

The first of three new 10-minute episodes aired on Monday night, with Dawn French returning as Geraldine Grainger-now-Kennedy.

It showed her taking sermons on Zoom, while one scene saw her reuniting with bumbling Hugo Horton (James Fleet) on a video call – but cutting him off as he rambled on about nothing.

The remaining shows will also feature a Black Lives Matter scene where the bubbly vicar will take a knee in support of the movement.

The BBC has confirmed to Metro it has already received over 100 complaints, but said in a statement: “In The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown, Geraldine shares with her congregation her take on some of the key stories of 2020, including clapping for the NHS, the Black Lives Matter movement, lockdown, and school exams being cancelled.

“She is a much-loved and well-established comic character and will be seen processing the year’s events in her familiar outspoken and high-spirited way.”

However, fans weren’t kind about the first episode, with one writing on Twitter: “Still waiting for the bit where I’m supposed to laugh #vicarofdibley That was an abomination. Yet another reason to @DefundBBC.”

A second posted: “I wish I could laugh at it. I have really tried.”

While a third added: “Absolutely fell flat. Disappointingly unfunny.”

Another made reference to the condensed nature of the episode writing: “What on earth was that weird little Vicar of Dibley thing? Totally unfunny, and a waste of 10 mins. Whoever thought of that should be sacked immediately.”

One then wailed: “Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown. Absolute rubbish. I didn’t even come close to cracking a smile.”

Dawn, 63, also appeared to directly respond to the complaints, writing on Twitter: “A lovely calm day, full of humanity, compassion and support all round…..”.

The Vicar of Dibley in lockdown is available on BBC iPlayer.