Stacey’s TV show gets watchers all a-twitter
Programme Name: n/a - TX: 20100101 - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Embargoed for publication until: n/a - Picture Shows: - (C) BBC - Photographer: Jack Barnes
LUTON-born TV personality Stacey Dooley caused something of a social networking stir on Monday night as her latest documentary on the rise of extremism in her home town aired.
BBC Three show Stacey Dooley Investigates: My Hometown Fanatics explored the polar extremes of Luton’s connections with the English Defence League and Islamic extremism and why the town has become labelled as Britain’s ‘extremist capital’ by certain quarters of the media.
The programme saw Stacey clash with members of a protest group led by extremist preacher Anjem Choudhury who marched on Luton Police Station in September last year, speak to EDL leader Stephen Lennon and walk the streets of Luton dressed in a niqab to gauge the reaction of townsfolk.
And the show sparked much debate on Facebook and Twitter which continued yesterday, with Stacey’s name ‘trending’ on Twitter while the documentary aired.
Viewer Debbie Jones said on our Facebook page yesterday: “It touched upon the issues we have here in Luton, but are those issues really any different to those of any other town or city in the UK. I see it as just another opportunity to single this town out.”
While Derek Borino added: “It touched on issues that had died down and just highlighted the town’s issues again making the town look one-dimensional.”
Luton Borough Council leader Hazel Simmons said yesterday that most residents enjoy the town’s multiculturalism.
She said: “The programme usefully highlighted that ignorance of different cultures is the main cause of extremism, and affirmed the need for everyone to understand each other.
“The reality is that Luton’s rich multicultural community is celebrated and enjoyed by the majority of its residents who are justly proud of their town, and feel their lives have been enriched by mixing with people from different backgrounds.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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