Top Boy's Ashley Walters hits back at London Hughes' criticism of Netflix revival

The actor claimed Hughes was unhappy because she failed to land a part in the show 
Tobi Akingbade12 September 2019
The Weekender

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Ashley Walters hit back at comedian London Hughes over her criticism of Top Boy, claiming she wanted to be a part of the show.

The 37-year-old rapper, who also goes by the name Asher D when rapping, stars in the British crime series which is being revived by Netflix for a third series.

After the show was renewed, thanks to backing from Drake, Hughes posted a tweet slamming Top Boy and calling it out for portraying negative black stereotypes.

The post was then raised by Good Morning Britain hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard during an interview with Walters, who said: “There’s a lot of negative things which happen in the show we’re not trying to lie about that, that’s the beauty of Top Boy, it’s unapologetic.

Karla Gowlett

“What we’re trying to do is give you a slice of life of this particular area and what these people go through. Hopefully we give you reasons why, and what that’s meant to do is create debate. It’s meant to get us talking the way we’re talking now.

“And that’s the only way we’re going to move forward with everything that’s going on.’

He added: “I mean London [Hughes] she wanted to be in the show so… that’s probably why she tweeted something like that.

“She didn’t get through the casting process on it.”

Twitter

Hughes then denied Walters' claim with a series of new Twitter posts.

She wrote: “LMAOOOOO!!!! @AshleyWalters82 let’s not do this, don’t like about me on national tv please….. Don’t try and make me look stupid when you totally know where I’m coming from.

“You and Noel Clarke even said the same thing as me when receiving backlash whilst promoting #Bulletproof.

Ashley Walters and Kane 'Kano' Robinson reprise their roles for the new season of Top Boy. (Netflix )
Netflix

“I can’t believe he formed his lying tongue to say I tried to audition for #Topboy and didn’t get a part?!!! He’s lucky I’m feeling myself today and my chakra’s are all cleansed so I’m finding this whole exchange quite funny.”

In her initial tweet, the presenter wrote: “Ugh why did Drake decide to bring back #TopBoy… if there’s one show Black Britain doesn’t need back, it’s that!

“Oooh gangs, drugs, guns, baby-mums! I’m sick of repeatedly seeing negative black stereotypes blown up on the big screen… Why couldn’t he bring back Desmond’s?!”

She added: “Black British culture is not just one way, there’s more to us than grime and gangs and knife crime… just wish it wasn’t always the same old story being told.. I’m over it, myself and many many black Britons can’t relate.”

The cult classic, which also features Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson, ended in 2013 with a big bang on Channel 4.

Airing from 2011 to 2013, Top Boy is set on a housing estate in Hackney and the first two seasons saw young people dealing drugs on the streets in multi-cultural London.

New cast members include Lisa Dwan (Trust), Jasmine Jobson (Lie Low, Obey), Kadeem Ramsay (Sex Education, Blue Story), Saffron Hocking (London Kills, White Gold), Kola Bokinni (Hunter, Killer, Black Mirror ) and Hope Ikpoku.

In case you need a refresher on the first two seasons of Top Boy. Standard Online has curated a recap ahead of the latest Netflix release.

The third season arrives on Netflix on Friday 13 September.

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