Fat Lady urges Brits to eat badgers

Broadcaster and food writer Clarissa Dickson Wright has sparked controversy by suggesting Brits should eat badgers.



The former star of TV's Two Fat Ladies said people should consume the bodies of animals killed as a result of culling.

Badgers have come under scrutiny amid fears they spread tuberculosis to cattle, which has led to the issue of a cull licence in Gloucestershire.

Dickson Wright said: "'It would solve the problem. There's going to be a cull, so rather than just throw them in the landfill site why not eat them?

''I would have no objection to eating badgers. I have no objection to eating anything very much, really.''

Dickson Wright said badger was widely eaten in Britain centuries ago - and was still a popular bar snack when she was young.

''When I was a teenager most of the pubs in the West Country had badger hams on the bar just like a jamon iberico. And it was delicious. It tasted like young wild boar.''

Dickson Wright said she was braced for people to be angered by her views. ''Oh yes, but I'm used to it,'' she said.

Her comments have drawn condemnation from Queen star and badger campaigner Brian May.

He said: ''I think we should seriously consider eating senseless people like this Clarissa whoever-she-is.

''She's obviously outlived her usefulness. I wonder if she would be best boiled or braised.''