Male supermodel David Gandy has launched an attack on Peppa Pig’s ‘useless’ father Daddy Pig, saying he promotes a bad ‘narrative’ about men.
Gandy, who shares two daughters with his barrister partner Stephanie Mednoros, argued the hugely popular kid’s television programme sets a bad example to children about gender roles.
He said while Daddy Pig is presented as a ‘useless fool’ throughout the series, leaving Mummy Pig to do everything, he instead subverts gender stereotypes at home by doing the washing, cleaning and the school run.
Gandy, who is Britain’s highest-paid male model, argued that men of his generation are taking on a ‘different role’, adding there needs to be more examples of this in film and TV.
Speaking to BBC‘s Laura Kuenssberg this morning, Gandy said: ‘Peppa Pig is an example […], from a man’s point of view you’re saying well actually, why are we – why are my children reading this book and the dad is a useless fool.
‘People look at me and they say, “when we look at you, you seem to define masculinity”, and I say “how?”, and they say “well the fact you’re into your classic cars, your suits, your watches, you’re a skier, you’re this big figure”, and I say “well yes but also I do the washing, I do the cleaning, I do the school run”.’
He added: ‘Our roles have changed; we are the first generation my age where we’re seeing the dads who have to take on a different role.
Male supermodel David Gandy (pictured today) has launched an attack on Peppa Pig’s ‘useless’ father Daddy Pig, saying he promotes a bad ‘narrative’ about men
The British model said Daddy Pig (pictured) is presented as a ‘useless fool’ throughout the series
Gandy and his partner Stephanie Mednoros share two young daughters, Matilda and Tabitha
‘One of the key things is there are not enough narratives about good men.’
Gandy has previously expressed his concerns about the show, noting how Daddy Pig’s character is often portrayed as incompetent, in contrast to the mother’s character.
Indeed, ‘silly daddy’ is a phrase commonly uttered by Peppa and her brother George throughout the series, which is popular around the world.
Gandy also said influential figures such as Andrew Tate are having a negative impact on ‘vulnerable men’.
‘The idea of masculinity to me is quite broad. There’s not one thing that fits all,’ he said.
‘And a lot of information, like [from] Andrew Tate and other people, is pushing this very extreme form of masculinity.
‘There are not enough examples of good, kind men out there and the things they do.’
Gandy and his partner Stephanie, of London, had their eldest daughter Matilda in 2018.
They then welcomed their second daughter Tabitha Isabella in 2021.
Gandy rose to new heights of fame when he starred in a Dolce & Gabbana advert wearing nothing but tight white pants in 2007.
He became a model after winning a competition on This Morning in 2001, entered by his flatmate at the time.
