Muslim activists attempt to cancel John Cleese over 'Islamophobia'

Max Thompson, Campaigns Officer

24 September 2026

A group of Muslim activists has attempted to cancel the comedian and national treasure John Cleese over his so-called "Islamophobia".

Deenified, an activist group, took to social media to release a video attacking the Fawlty Towers star for "using your platform to attack Islam" and called for his Birmingham show — part of a nationwide tour — to be banned.

John has been a vocal critic of Islamism on his X account, and of the Government's decision to press ahead with implementing a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as "anti-Muslim hostility" — which has been adopted by public bodies, charitable organisations, and the private sector. The definition has had a chilling effect on free speech and, since its publication in March, has already been used to silence legitimate criticism of, and debate about, Islam, as well as to shut down those who mock the religion. This is, of course, absurd given that Parliament voted to abolish blasphemy laws back in 2008.

The young man who appears in the video to denounce John Cleese accused him of "spreading dangerous misinformation and creating hostility towards Muslims". The group went on to accuse him of being a "hate preacher" and to claim that his comments were not comedy but "hate speech", demanding that his comedy show in Birmingham be cancelled.

As reported in The Spectator, John's comedy show fortunately went ahead in Birmingham without a hitch.

But sadly, this may not be the end of this censorious episode. The Islamic website 5Pillars, which has targeted John for his comments online over recent months, suggested that similar demands may very well follow him to other shows on his tour in cities with "substantial Muslim communities".

We must not let an Islamic blasphemy law take root in Britain.

Read more in The Spectator and watch FSU External Affairs Officer Connie Shaw's video.