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A more thoroughly modern Little Britain character is Daffyd Thomas (played by Matt Lucas) the self-styled and self-oppressed “only gay” in the Welsh village of Llandewi-Breffi. Lucas plays him with a total lack of vanity, making full use of his plump, white body by dressing Daffyd in black boots, skin-tight PVC short-shorts, see-through tops, and occasionally a little hat. He has become one of the most popular LB characters partly because he is so visually iconic, and his repeated indignant cry of “I am the only gay in the village!” has become a national catchphrase in the UK.

Daffyd proclaims a modern, liberated gay sensibility--reacting with outrage to anything he perceives as homophobia. He repeatedly expresses his pain and frustration at his isolation, and his supposed lack of sympathy, support, or community in the village.

Yet when it comes to the crunch on an issue such as gay marriage, he reveals himself as extremely homophobic. He turns down every opportunity to go to gay community events. And he refuses to acknowledge the fact that an increasing number of people around him--including his brother, his best friend Myfanwy, and even the village vicar--are actually openly gay themselves. He is also relentlessly determined to pigeonhole himself, as when he goes to visit the local doctor:

Doctor: Occupation?
Daffyd: Gay.

Not all viewers have responded well to Little Britain. Some point to the show's free use of stereotypes and political incorrectness--as in the representation of Sebastian--as being cruel and regressive. They say that claiming modern ‘knowingness' or irony in these portrayals is merely a pretext for allowing people to laugh at the funny fairy, the funny fat person, the funny elderly.

Matt Lucas has said that the character of Daffyd was inspired by his own feelings about coming out. He had thought of his sexuality for years as a huge big deal and a ‘dark secret', but turned out to be something that everyone around him was very relaxed about. Daffyd's homophobia certainly reflects the way that homosexual people can sometimes be among the most homophobic of all.

But some commentators have said that the Daffyd sketches make gay people look ridiculous by presenting a world that doesn't exist. A world where homophobia among heterosexual people is no longer a problem, so what are the silly gay people whining about?

Other viewers, on the other hand, have reacted with huge enthusiasm. In 2005, a group of forty people turned up dressed as Daffyd clones to march in the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney, Australia. This year, the Daffyd-inspired theme of that parade was “you're not the only gay in the village.”

Among other things, the Daffyd sketches can be seen as a subtle ridiculing of the idea that anyone is ever “the only gay”. No doubt that is a great reassurance to gay teens who may be feeling isolated or freakish. Even in a small town, the sketches say, you are never alone. The calm (sometimes startlingly calm) and matter-of-fact reactions of Daffyd's friends and neighbors to his sexuality ridicule anyone in the audience who would make a fuss about it.

For fans of the show, above all, Little Britain is simply good comedy. They enjoy the vast inventiveness of Lucas and Walliams' imaginations, the almost Dickensian range of characters and caricatures. And they point to the equal lampooning of all social groups--including conservatives--as evidence that the show is fair in its unfairness.

The show unquestionably has a particular appeal for gay fans in the fact that so much of its sensibility feels queer. Even among the characters that aren't officially gay or transvestite. Since Lucas and Walliams play nearly all the parts, there is a great deal of cross-dressing involved. Among the most wildly successful, and iconic, of their female characters is Vicky Pollard, a teenage ‘chav' played by Matt Lucas (think ‘trailer trash' in American-ese). Her gabbled, and usually indignant and self-righteous monologues are some of the show's best pieces.

Then there are Andy and Lou, a faux-disabled (read: lazy) man and his clueless caregiver. Their names come from Andy Warhol and Lou Reed, from a skit Lucas and Walliams did for an earlier show Rock Profile. Their sexuality is not stated, but as time goes on, their co-dependent relationship develops something of a subtext.

The recently released Season 2 DVD includes the Comic Relief Special of the show shot in 2005. This features George Michael in an Andy and Lou sketch. British pop star Robbie Williams meeting “rubbish transvestite” regular characters Emily and Florence, and wondering if perhaps he wants to be a “lady” too.

Also included is a priceless bit in which Daffyd interviews Sir Elton John for the Llandewi-Breffi Gazette:

Daffyd: I've often seen you out and about with this chap David Furnish, is he one of your nephews?
Sir Elton: No.
Daffyd: (writing) Close friend.

Get Little Britain Season 1 and Season 2 on DVD at Amazon.com;
watch Season Three on BBC America.

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