One of the creators of BBC3 sitcom People Just Do Nothing has attacked fellow comedian Lee Nelson for failing to understand working-class culture.
Allan ‘Seapa’ Mustafa, who plays Kurupt FM pirate radio station owner Grindah, said People Just Do Nothing was more authentic than previous attempts to portray urban music on TV.
In this week’s NME, available nationwide from tomorrow, Seapa said: “We’ve never had any hostility from the grime scene, it’s all love. They can see we’re not ripping the piss out of their culture. We were MCs and DJs back in the day. It’s not some twat in a suit who’s made this show and dressed them all like fucking breakdancers.”
Hugo Chegwin, who plays Grindah’s sidekick Beats, added: “We’re not a novelty act.” Seapa went on: “Lee Nelson – I’m not feeling that guy. He gets it so wrong, it’s actually offensive.”
The third series of People Just Do Nothing began this week on BBC2, after intiailly being shown online on BBC3. The second series was nominated for a BAFTA for Kurupt FM’s portrayal of a struggling pirate station in the Brentford and Isleworth area of Middlesex, where several of the cast grew up.
The creators say they may take a break from the show once the fourth series airs in 2017. Chegwin is a successful songwriter for Sam Smith and Emeli Sande, while Chabbudy G actor Asim Chaudry has appeared in Sherlock.
Chaudry said: “Wu-Tang’s the analogy. We’ll come back together, but it’ll never be as good as the first album.”