It’s January 2007: at least ten years before ‘cancel culture’ will become a part of our everyday life. The world is a less connected place. Twitter is yet to celebrate its first birthday. The iPhone is nothing but a rumour. Yet, we are about to witness cancellation on a global scale. In January, a new series of UK’s Celebrity Big Brother begins. On its third day, Jade Goody, a fan favourite from the civilian Big Brother House, enters. Over the next two weeks, her life changes forever, for a second time. Quite unexpectedly, she triggers an international incident that results in debates in the Houses of Parliament and effigies of her face being burned in India. In just 14 days, her reputation is left in tatters. She goes from the nation’s sweetheart to public enemy. In other words, she is well and truly cancelled.

This episode was written by Michael Chakraverty 

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