
leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in βOrwellianβ move* * *
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Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather.
Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: βLiving in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you βweβre editing how you lookβ, seems very Orwellian.β
Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as βweirdβ and βabsurdβ. He said: β[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?β
A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied
Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: βThe BBC people said theyβd ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, thatβs what I did.β Since then, Sam hasnβt had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed.
After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt βmeltedβ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied
## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia
Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in.
It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster.
When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. βAt first it was mostly confusion,β she said. βI heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say βwe have support services if needed,β and that wasn't what I got at all.β
Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. βIt was out of left field, I was confused for a while,β she said. βThis entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.β
Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: βWe were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further.
Speaking about the removal, she said: βIt takes a lot of timeβ she said. βMaking it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.β
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## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support
The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied
According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity.
Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: βThere was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer β now thatβs gone again.β he said.
The BBC has also been widely criticised for βan attack on the LGBTQ+ communityβ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following βsignificant financial pressuresβ as the reason for axing their involvement.
The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out βProtect the Dollsβ from contestant Bethany Antoniaβs T-shirt. Itβs a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines.
It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate.
## What the BBC had to say
When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicesterβs University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: βIn line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.β
The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins.
A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: βUniversity Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.β
The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter.
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