John Cleese has pulled out of a Cambridge Union talk this week, saying he has “blacklisted” himself for doing an impression of Adolf Hitler in Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
It comes after art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon was banned from appearing after impersonating the Nazi leader in a debate on “good taste”.
Cleese, 82, said: “I am blacklisting myself before someone else does.
“I apologise to anyone at Cambridge who was hoping to talk with me, but perhaps some of you can find a venue where woke rules do not apply.”
He is filming a Channel 4 show on cancel culture titled Cancel Me – and had been due to screen footage of Friday’s event.
His comments came after a backlash over art critic and historian Andrew Graham-Dixon’s impression of the German dictator.
The incident occurred on November 4 during a debate on the motion “This house believes there is no such thing as good taste.”
Cambridge Union president Keir Bradwell said the remarks made by Mr Graham-Dixon were “grotesque” and apologised for his lack of intervention at the time.
In a statement he said: “I would like to offer my unreserved apology for the comments made by a speaker in our debate on Thursday night.
“Neither I, nor the society, condones the thoughtless and grotesque language used by the individual in question, and I am sorry for my failure to intervene at the time.
“I and my committee represent an intelligent and diverse membership; I am disappointed that this debate let a number of them down this week.”
Mr Graham-Dixon was quoted by BBC News as saying in a statement: “I apologise sincerely to anyone who found my debating tactics and use of Hitler’s own language distressing; on reflection I can see that some of the words I used, even in quotation, are inherently offensive.”
