Matt Lucas, Millie Bobby Brown. Photo:
Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock; Jeff Spicer/Getty
Matt Lucas is apologizing to Millie Bobby Brown after she called him out for his comments on her appearance.
Shortly after the Stranger Things actress, 21, called out her critics in an Instagram video, Lucas, 50, shared a statement in response.
In a text post shared to Instagram, the British actor and comedian explained that he was “mortified” by an article claiming he “slammed” Brown.
“Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context,” he wrote. “Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain. There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases.”
He continued, “I thought you looked terrific and I was mortified when the press wrote that I ‘slammed’ you, firstly because that’s not my style, and secondly because I think you’re brilliant. I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that I apologise. Matt x”
On Monday, March 3, Brown took to Instagram to share a makeup-free video discussing the recent media critique of her appearance. The actress said it was important to address “bullying” in the media industry as growing up under public scrutiny impacts “every young woman.”
“I started in this industry when I was 10 years old,” Brown said. “I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow up with me.”
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
“Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things season 1, and because I don’t, I’m now a target,” she continued.
Millie Bobby Brown at the L.A. premiere of ‘The Electric State.’. LISA O’CONNOR/AFP via Getty
Brown also called out specific headlines and journalists, including a Daily Mail article that claimed Lucas “took a savage swipe” at the actress. The article included an X post from Feb. 26 in which Lucas shared a photo of Brown after The Electric State premiere and wrote, “no but yeah but,” which is the catchphrase of the Little Britain character Vicky Pollard.
The actor later added, “I love her, btw.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
A few days before Brown issued her statement on Instagram, she shared a British Vogue article with the headline, “No One Cares How Old You Think Millie Bobby Brown Looks,” on her Instagram Stories.
In the post, she thanked the publication for calling out comments from critics about her new blonde hairstyle, which she debuted via Instagram on Feb. 1.
