Great British Bake Off presenter Matt Lucas has declared he is now a German citizen and has secured dual nationality after he controversially branded Brexit ‘pointless and masochistic’.
The comic, who rose in fame as a star alongside David Walliams, posted to Instagram to reveal his dual citizenship and to show off a pin badge displaying the two national flags he was given by the German Embassy in London to help him collect his paperwork.
In a post, the Remainer explained that his grandmother fled Berlin in 1938. He previously spoke out about how his family fled Nazi persecution in Germany during World War Two. Lucas was then born in London in 1974 to parents Diana and John.
He said the naturalisation process had taken about six months, before amusingly quipping that he had been given a pin badge featuring both the British and German flags and gummy bears, or ‘Gummibärchen’.
He told his Instagram followers that he was now deciding on a German football team. Later, Lucas revealed that he had been ‘claimed’ by football team Union Berlin, who praised his citizenship in a post.
Lucas caused an uproar when he shared an anti Brexit article published by The Guardian newspaper. He called London’s EU agreement ‘pointless, masochistic’. He didn’t comment on whether his decision not to change his nationality was based upon the referendum outcome.
The Bake Off star previously stated: “I’m a Remainer, and I’m proud that Britain has a rich racial-cultural mix.”
Anglo-German! Matt Lucas announced that he is now German citizen, having obtained dual nationality after his comments about Brexit.
News: The 47-year-old Great British Bake Off host took to Instagram Tuesday evening to show his Anglo-German status, and to share his gift from the Embassy
Opinion: The comedian previously caused a stir when he shared an anti-Brexit article published by The Guardian, branding the deal ‘pointless and masochistic’
Today, Lucas also answered a fan who asked him if he was entitled to a German passport. He replied, “yes.”
During a recent episode of Bake Off, Lucas and his co-star Noel Fielding dressed up as German band Kraftwerk for the introduction to a German-themed week on the show.
He also sang The Flintstones theme entirely in German for Bake Off frontrunner Jürgen Krauss, who hails from the Black Forest.
Lucas responded to critics by tweeting, ‘I am Anglo German. I am a citizen both of these countries, and have passports for each. So I can do a rough German accent whenever I like.
“Mind you, I’ll probably also do an Italian accent and a French accent, if I fancy.” Acting, innit.
Lucas quipped that he also sang the song – known as Feuersteins – at the German embassy.
Response: Matt also answered a fan’s question about whether he was now eligible for a German passport. He replied, “yes”
Lighthearted: Matt quipped that he also sang the song – known as Feuersteins – at the German embassy
‘I’m a remainer!’ The comedian, best known for his sketch shows with David Walliams (Britain’s Got Talent judge) – seemed happy to discuss his stance on Brexit
One person wrote that “we had a rich, varied culture mix” long before we entered Europe.
“Once we’re gone, we can continue to mix the whole world, and not just with the EU.
Another wrote: “He can’t, because he’s in an luvvy bubble. No idea of the real world. Happy virtue signalling.
A third explained that Brexiteers had ‘voted for change’ rather than ‘not to keep the status quo and establishment’.
They stated that they were tired of the sanctimonious celebrity wealth telling us how to vote, and what to think.
Lucas previously caused a stir when he shared an anti-Brexit article published by The Guardian.
He shared the headline from the news outlets and wrote: “Brexit is the most pointless, masochistic aim in our country’s recent history. It’s done.”
No comment: The comedian did not comment on whether his decision to change his nationality was based on the Brexit vote