Thelma’s Gypsy Girl Bridget Deadman says “show makes us look like freaks”
One of the gypsy girls employed by dressmaker Thelma Madine for her BFGW spin-off show, Thelma’s Gypsy Girls, has claimed that the reality show is making her and her peers out to be “freaks.”
In an interview with the Sun’s TV Biz, Bridget Deadman, one of ten travellers who’re starring in Thelma’s Gypsy Girls, said, “Thelma wasn’t interested in teaching us anything.
“It was just a freak show which made us look violent, tarty and stupid. At times it was like being on Jeremy Kyle.”
Angry 17 year old Bridget went on, “Every stereotype there is about gypsies was pushed to the hilt, and Thelma and the camera crew seemingly ignored anything that didn’t fit that image…”
Bridget was also furious when Thelma claimed that most of the dressmaking hopefuls couldn’t read, write or tell the time.
She said, “Hearing her talk about us like that was so degrading. I got seven A grades in my GCSEs and won a college place.
“But I had to sit in a class with all of the girls learning to read and write — apparently to make up numbers for the tutor.”
Finally, Bridget said, “The crew were determined to make us look wild. The whole thing was disgusting.
“We trusted Thelma to help us learn a skill.”
In response to Bridget’s claims, a spokesperson for Channel 4 said, “The series is a fair and accurate reflection of what the programme makers experienced during filming and we refute any allegation that the show was constructed.
“The girls who stuck with Thelma’s course have said that it has been a positive and life-changing experience for them and their families.”
Have you watched the show? And if so, what’s your take on it?
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Why does Thelma always go on about the Women staying at home and looking after their Babies and Men?I stayed at home with My Children looked after the house whilst My Husband went out to work.I’m not a Traveller but a Mother of 9.I don’t see anything wrong with that but sometimes Thelma comes across as if every women should be out working!Thelma’s business has come from such women who have stayed at home.Also a lot of these women have to Travel where their Husband can get work.Sometimes Thelma comes across a bit patronising to the Traveller Community.I did get the impression that Thelma couldn’t get to grips with Bridget being an English Traveller.Thelma seems to think that she is some kind of Saviour for the Women of the Traveller Community and has some power over them.What ever is shown is all for effect.
i know many travellers, i was discusted how thelma delt with bullying
how she said travelers like she could generalise for a whole people
im mixrace half english half cuban jamaican and i know travelers have nerver experianced any racism if anything keen curiosity.
thelmas clearly selling them out for all there worth so she can buy a couple more televisions for her bathrooms.
is discusting, there people who have to live already being discriminated against without having the backlash of the BFGW franchise to add to it.
I have now watched this spin of programme and have to adimit these girls have never worked before. Bridget made enimies with the girls straight away but, acting as though she is ‘BETTER’ than the other girls. She says thing about them and ended up with Shannon who is 15 sticking pins in her although both Margaret and shannon got in trouble for it and Bridgets mom complained that she was being bullied. Margaret got into trouble by Leanne for not picking up beads even though she had not dropped them or was even sitting their and got a strike. Bridget again had a go on Margaret even though it was not Margarets fault but, Margaret also walked out after Bridget. Bridget then, started talking about the other girls putting sanitary towels on the windows of taxis and Leanne told her she was talking disgusting then, bridget explodes and walks out because she didnt agree a 25 year old Leanne should tell her off. All in all i think its Bridget who is the troulble maker not making any effort to stand by her gypsy girl trainees. I do however feel Leanne has alot to say and, that it is Thelma who should be sorting the girls out as they are employed by her not her staff. I like lilyann although she has attitude and only wanted to make things for herself and Thelma gave her an altimatum. Grace, Victoria,Samantha, Megan, Kathleen, Shannon and Margaret all did try to make dresses for the children for Katrinas party and, the gypsy children looked lovely. Now Bridget because she never got her public appology off Leanne is upset that real life doesnt work like that and she should have ignored it and got on with her work instead of wanting alot of attention all the time. Justice was surved, and she is complaining because it didnt go her way.
I have now watched this spin of programme and have to adimit these girls have never worked before. Bridget made enimies with the girls straight away but, acting as though she is ‘BETTER’ than the other girls. She says thing about them and ended up with Shannon who is 15 sticking pins in her although both Margaret and shannon got in trouble for it and Bridgets mom complained that she was being bullied. Margaret got into trouble by Leanne for not picking up beads even though she had not dropped them or was even sitting their and got a strike. Bridget again had a go on Margaret even though it was not Margarets fault but, Margaret also walked out after Bridget. Bridget then, started talking about the other girls putting sanitary towels on the windows of taxis and Leanne told her she was talking disgusting then, bridget explodes and walks out because she didnt agree a 25 year old Leanne should tell her off. All in all i think its Bridget who is the troulble maker not making any effort to stand by her gypsy girl trainees. I do however feel Leanne has alot to say and, that it is Thelma who should be sorting the girls out as they are employed by her not her staff. I like lilyann although she has attitude and only wanted to make things for herself and Thelma gave her an altimatum. Grace, Victoria,Samantha, Megan, Kathleen, Shannon and Margaret all did try to make dresses for the children for Katrinas party and, the gypsy children looked lovely. Now Bridget because she never got her public appology off Leanne is upset that real life doesnt work like that and she should have ignored it and got on with her work instead of wanting alot of attention all the time. Justice was surved, and she is complaining because it didnt go her way.