An 11-year-old boy was excluded from World Book Day celebrations at his school after turning up dressed as Christian Grey.
Liam Scholes, a year seven pupil at Sale High School in Manchester, went to school dressed in a grey suit with slicked black hair, carrying cable ties and an eye mask.
Hi mother, Nicola Scholes, 36, received a call from teachers saying Liam’s Fifty Shades of Grey costume was inappropriate and he would not be allowed to participate in themed events and a class photograph, the Manchester Evening News reported.
offensive costume.Excluded from photos, told to change yet teacher dressed as a serial killer and others with guns? pic.twitter.com/8OTZ9gPvEh
— nicola scholes (@clangar) March 5, 2015Scholes, who works as a primary school teacher, said she could not understand the school’s decision when one of the teachers went dressed as serial killer Dexter.
“I don’t see why sex is seen as more offensive than murder”, she said. If it was a primary school I could understand but it’s a secondary school and the book and the film have been everywhere – it’s one of the most famous books in recent years and it’s not like the pupils will be unaware of it.”
Scholes said the cables Liam carried were “tiny ones” used for Christmas tress decorations, which “wouldn’t even wrap around his wrists”.
She said that it was her son’s idea to dress up as the BDSM enthusiast from EL James’ best-selling erotic trilogy.
Liam told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “It’s the content of the book that people might think is inappropriate, but I went dressed as Christian Grey just for a laugh.”
World Book Day: Your costumes
World Book Day: Your costumes
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1/59 World Book Day
Erin, age 6, is Edna from The Incredibles. 'The Incredibles is mum's favourite film and Erin doesn't like dressing up as princesses!'
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2/59 World Book Day
Oak, 8, is Pod from The Borrowers. 'He chose Pod because he's the ultimate recycler,' mum says
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3/59 World Book Day
Mabel, 5, dressed as Elizabeth from The Paper Bag Princess. 'She chose it and loves that Elizabeth is smart and independent,' she says
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4/59 World Book Day
Johnny, 8, as Wimpy Kid with Harry, 6, as Mr toad from Wind in the Willows
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5/59 World Book Day
Heath, 6, is 'It' from Five Children & It. 'He chose It because he loves the idea of granting wishes to people today,' mum says
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6/59 World Book Day
Isabelle, aged 7, loves Roald Dahl's The Twits, especially Mrs Twit, and thought it would work with the gap in her teeth.
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7/59 World Book Day
Holly (the cavalier), 7, dressed as Peter Pan. 'Reason I chose this book: I still act like a puppy, just like Peter Pan, plus he can fly! Oh, and I got a biscuit for doing this,' he says
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8/59 World Book Day
Roy Apps' The Headless Teacher tales inspired Sasha's (aged 9) costume
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9/59 World Book Day
Cameron, aged 11, dressed as Peter Pan's shadow. 'He thought it was a different character to choose,' says mum
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10/59 World Book Day
Thomas Masterson, age 8, as Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. 'I love the epic adventures and amazing mythical creatures,' he says
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11/59 World Book Day
Someone dressed up as Tubby Tin by Georgie Adams
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12/59 World Book Day
This little one dressed up as Rosie Revere, Engineer
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13/59 World Book Day
Goth Girl (Olivia, 8) and Fantastic Mr Fox (Kate, 6) 'Riddell and Dahl are two of their favourite authors,' says mum
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14/59 World Book Day
Louis, 5, dressed up as Hairy Maclary and barked all the way to school, says mum. His dog is Hairy's doppelgänger
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15/59 World Book Day
William aged 10 (year 6) dressed as Dennis from David Walliams' The Boy in the Dress
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16/59 World Book Day
Ethan, 5, as Elliott from E.T 'His nickname is E.T, he adores the book, the film, and his E.T teddy!' says mum
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17/59 World Book Day
Millie, 7, from Cinderford, Forest of Dean as Cruella devil from 101 Dalmatians
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18/59 World Book Day
Herbie, aged 5, dressed as the Cat in the Hat for World Book Day at his school in Stonnall, Lichfield. Costume made by mummy and nanny
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19/59 World Book Day
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20/59 World Book Day
Aadi, 5, has loved the book Billy The Bus since he was 3! This is his costume today. Made mostly alone too. He's very proud, says mum
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21/59 World Book Day
Ellwood (left) and Archie (right) as Lion and snake from Dear Zoo
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22/59 World Book Day
Malachi aged 6 dressed as Paddington Bear. 'He loves Paddington and also enjoys a Marmalade sandwich,' says mum
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23/59 World Book Day
'Mia went to book day dressed as Paddington bear complete with marmalade sandwich in her suitcase. She got completely into character and only answered to Paddington all morning,' says mum
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24/59 World Book Day
Ffion, 9, and Iwan, 7, dressed as The Trunchbull ( from Matilda ) and Mr Tickle. 'Matilda is one of Ffion's favourite books and she's read it several times. Iwan's always loved Mr Men books and Mr Tickle is his favourite , very apt as he's the most ticklish person I know!' says mum
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25/59 World Book Day
Keira, age 5, in Dubai, dressed as Pocahontas. 'She loves the story and dressing up,' says mum
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26/59 World Book Day
Esther, age 7, dressed as Miss Honey from Matilda. 'She had to choose a Roald Dahl character, and she wants to be a teacher when she grows up!!' says mum
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27/59 World Book Day
Jem Simpson, from Suffolk, as Tom from Beast Quest
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28/59 World Book Day
Emilia, age 10, is dressed as Anne from Anne of Green Gables. 'She had to choose a character from a classic children's book. She likes Anne because she's a nice person and she has red hair!' says mum
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29/59 World Book Day
Molly McAuley Jones, age 9, dressed as Miss Root from Demon Dentist. 'Molly never stops reading and her favourite author is David Walliams,' says mum
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30/59 World Book Day
Luca Newman, age 13, as Boggis from Fantastic Mr Fox.
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31/59 World Book Day
Harriet, age 5, from Neath South Wales, is dressed as the unicorn from Sugar Lump and the Unicorn by Julia Donaldson which is her 'favourite book'
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32/59 World Book Day
Andrew, age 5, as Lightning McQueen from Cars
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33/59 World Book Day
Lily, 9, dressed as Greg from diary of a wimpy kid. 'We made the head from paper mache! Lily loves the collection of Wimpy Kid books and we had a blast making it,' says her mum
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34/59 World Book Day
Brooke Murray, aged 6, dressed as Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk. 'The beanstalk was homemade. It's her most favourite book and i think she makes a pretty good Jack!' says her mum
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35/59 World Book Day
This little one, 7, decided to go as an Umpa Lumpa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
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36/59 World Book Day
Joshua, 5, is Mr Gum from Andy Stanton's series, which starts with 'You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum'. 'Joshua reads Friday O'Leary's parts in a funny voice. He likes the books because they are funny and the characters are really good. He made the costume himself and got ready by himself at 6am this morning,' says his mum
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37/59 World Book Day
Arely, 7, is Mr Centipede from 'James and the Giant Peach'. 'She reads a lot and says 'This is my favourite book ever and the centipede is my favourite character. He's so funny,'' reveals her mum
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38/59 World Book Day
Lauren Martin, age 9, is Gangsta Granny from David Walliams' book
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39/59 World Book Day
Ashton, 4, dressed up as the Gruffalo. He chose this character as he loves the book, says his mum
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40/59 World Book Day
Leila decided on Juliet from Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' because she loves the story, says her mum
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41/59 World Book Day
Ben, age 7, went as Robin Hood. 'He picked it because he's doing a robin hood play,' his sister says.
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42/59 World Book Day
Ryan, 10, is Billionaire Boy. 'He had a hard time finding a book to engage him in, finally found the David Walliams book about money!' says mum.
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43/59 World Book Day
Jesper's Beanstalk & Here Come the Dinosaurs. Rory, 6, loves the Stomp chomp big roars book, it's his favourite. Evie, 4, wanted to be a cat, that's her favourite cat story, says their dad.
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44/59 World Book Day
Josh aged 7 dressed as Harry Potter. 'He started by listening to me reading before bed then started reading himself to me during mum and son time,' his mum reveals.
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45/59 World Book Day
Finley aged 3 as the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz. 'He chose to be this and it's his favourite book and film,' his mum says.
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46/59 World Book Day
Freya, age 2, as The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 'She insists on reading this book every single night before bed,' says her mum.
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47/59 World Book Day
Tilly age 4 as Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat, because 'I love this book, it makes me laugh'
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48/59 World Book Day
Stan went as a Dementor so he can 'feast on all the Harry Potters and Hermiones'
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49/59 World Book Day
Natasha, 5, dressed as Matilda by Roald Dahl. 'She chose Matilda because she loves reading,' her dad says.
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50/59 World Book Day
Siblings Lauren, 7, (Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter books) and Ethan, 4, (Peter Pan), leaving for school this morning
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51/59 World Book Day
Madalena, 10, Mia, 7 and Marisa, 5 attended school today as the Boy in the Dress (by David Walliams), Paddington Bear and Hermione Granger
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52/59 World Book Day
George, 3, is dressed as a character from Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are
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53/59 World Book Day
Natasha, aged 5, from Bury, Greater Manchester decided to dress as Mary Poppins. 'A love of the film has led to a love of the book, we've been reading it as a bedtime story,' says her mum.
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54/59 The Boy In the Dress
Nathan,11, dressed up as the main character in David Walliams' debut novel which follows a 12-year-old named Dennis who cross-dresses. 'He's in his last year at primary and he wanted to do something unusual to show off his personality!,' says his mum.
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55/59 World Book Day
Splat the Cat visited the West De Pere School district for World Book Day
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56/59 Slinky Malinki
Emilia, 4, dressed up as Slinky Malinki from Hairy Maclary author Lynley Dodd's stories. 'She chose this book as it's a bedtime favourite and we're both crazy cat ladies. Also because I vetoed anything that would involve her wearing a flammable Disney princess dress,' her mum says.
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57/59 The Pirate Cruncher
Seth, 5, donned a hat and parrot to become a pirate from The Pirate Cruncher. 'He chose this costume because he LOVES the book, but also because he enjoys doing a 'piratey' accent all day at people,' says Seth's mum.
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58/59 Gangsta Granny
Maddie, 10, dressed up as Gangsta Granny because David Walliams is her favourite author.
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59/59 The Mad Hatter
Mary, 40ish, Library Assistant at Comber Library, decided to dress up as Alice In Wonderland's tea-swilling Mad Hatter. 'I wanted to go as Alice but I got outvoted,' she reveals.
Scholes added: “Am I such a bad parent because I’ve allowed him to dress up as a character that’s been publicised over every TV channel around the world?”
The Fifty Shades of Grey series has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.
The film adaptation of the book, which opened in cinemas on 13 February, has become the highest-grossing 18-rated film ever in the UK. It has made over $500m at the worldwide box office already.
Sale High School has yet to comment.
