The Beano will stop using the nickname Fatty for a character and call them Freddy instead to stop children using the term in a ‘mean’ way

• The Beano decided to stop using the nickname ‘Fatty’ for one of its characters  
• From this week Frederick Brown is to be referred to as Freddy – or Frederick
• The character is drawn as an obese boy who often carries a bag of cakes 

It’s been a staple of British childhoods since 1938, with the antics of characters like Dennis the Menace and Roger the Dodger loved by children everywhere.

But now The Beano has decided to stop using the nickname ‘Fatty’ for one of its characters to prevent young readers using the name ‘in a mean way’.

From this week Frederick Brown, one of the Bash Street Kids, will be referred to as Freddy – or Frederick if he is being told off by his mother.

Mike Stirling, editorial director of Beano Studios, told the Daily Telegraph they want to ‘celebrate’ that ‘kids come in all shapes and sizes’.

From this week The Beano will stop using the nickname ‘Fatty’ for its character Frederick Brown

Mr Stirling said Britain’s longest-running children’s comic had recently received a number of letters asking why Frederick Brown was called Fatty.

He said: ‘Kids come in all shapes and sizes, and we absolutely celebrate that. We don’t want to risk someone using it in a mean way. The time is right to revert back to Freddy.

‘Although it’s always been used affectionately, and never pejoratively, we agreed it’s time it changed.

‘Freddy’s mum – and teacher – may still sometimes address him as ‘Frederick’, whenever he’s in trouble, which for a Bash Street Kid is not uncommon.’

Mr Stirling added that Freddy will still be drawn in the same way.

He said: ‘All the characters overindulge at times, and Freddy is no different.’

Frederick Brown is drawn as an obese boy who often carries a bag of cakes and whose special talent is gymnastics. 

The character is drawn as an obese boy who often carries a bag of cakes and whose special talent is gymnastics

Frederick Brown attends Bash Street School alongside fellow pupils Spotty, Danny, Toots, Sidney, Plug, ‘Erbert, Wilfrid and Smiffy

According to his character profile his motto is, ‘Everything is delicious’.

He attends Bash Street School alongside fellow pupils Spotty, Danny, Toots, Sidney, Plug, ‘Erbert, Wilfrid and Smiffy.

The Beano was first published in 1938 by Dundee-based publishers DC Thomson.

The comic celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2018 with issue number 3945 being guest edited by comedian and children’s author David Walliams. 

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