This Morning viewers raged ‘get over yourself’ as a debate about dwarf actors being cut from the Snow White remake took an explosive turn.

Disability lecturer Dr Erin Pritchard and performer Choon Tan featured on the ITV show on Friday, hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Josie Gibson, to share their thoughts about the new Disney film.

The movie used computer generated images (CGI) to reimagine the seven dwarves as ‘magical creatures,’ which has caused great debate.

Dermot observed how he felt the characters ‘look like CGI dwarves’ and asked, ‘If it’s CGI dwarves, then why didn’t they just use actors with dwarfism?’

Dr Pritchard, who helped with the script development, argued that the dwarves in Snow White were ‘gnome-type like things’ instead.

She added: ‘Most people with dwarfism who are professional actors and have a background in performing arts… they won’t touch this with a bargepole because they know the implications it has for the rest of us.’

+5
View gallery

Disability lecturer Dr Erin Pritchard and performer Choon Tan (pictured) featured on the ITV show on Friday, hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Josie Gibson, and shared their thoughts on the new Disney film

+5
View gallery

Dermot observed how he felt the characters ‘look like CGI dwarves’ and asked, ‘If it’s CGI dwarves then why didn’t they just use actors with dwarfism?’

+5
View gallery

Dr Pritchard (pictured), who helped with the script development, argued that the dwarves in Snow White were ‘gnome-type like things’ instead

The lecturer described how the original Snow White dwarves were based on ‘freak show representations’ and touched on the ethical issues of this.

However, Choon brought a different perspective to the discussion and revealed he had performed in a Snow White pantomime before arguing, ‘I think people can differentiate from a movie to real life’.

Josie asked: ‘What would getting a role like this do for you?’

‘It would be massive,’ he replied. ‘A lot of famous actors now have used these kind of roles as stepping stones, they’ve done pantomimes, Snow White And The Seven Dwarves and we’ve always felt respected, so now they’re doing big things, a lot of my colleagues are in massive movies.’

While Dr Pritchard described ‘this type of role’ as a ‘poisoned chalice’ and argued ‘if you do this, they’re not going to take you seriously’.

‘If you want to play that role, Disney will first of all, want you to have a background in the performing arts, not just be like “I’m a dwarf, I deserve this role, I want to play it,”‘ she added.

As the debate moved on, Dermot asked: ‘Who is to differentiate what part an actor with dwarfism should play, and what part an actor with dwarfism shouldn’t play? Culturally what’s acceptable and what isn’t acceptable?’

+5
View gallery

The lecturer described how the original Snow White dwarves were based on ‘freak show representations’ and touched on the ethical issues of this

+5
View gallery

However, Choon brought a different perspective to the discussion and revealed he had performed in a Snow White pantomime before arguing, ‘I think people can differentiate from a movie to real life’

While Dr Pritchard responded with: ‘Would you put another minority group in a role … based on their minority status?’

Choon chimed in with his own take and instead argued, ‘I think times have progressed on, because I don’t think they’re being laughed at…’

The lecturer cut in with her view, ‘You are in panto, you are laughed at,’ before Dermot steered the conversation back to the film.

At the end of the discussion, Choon said: ‘I think there are a lot of dwarf actors that do want to play this role, which is why there are protests coming up for this, and I think it’s an opportunity for us.

‘It looks like an amazing movie, I would’ve loved to have played a part in it and there are many colleagues I know who would’ve loved to play a part in it as well.’

The debate caused reaction amongst some viewers, who took to social media to share their thoughts.

The debate caused reaction amongst some viewers who took to social media to share their thoughts

One posted on X: ‘Dopey was a mute Dwarf that’s beloved. Now if an actor with Down’s [Syndrome] wanted to play him then that should be up to them, not people like this woman. Get over yourself love.’

Another chimed in: ‘Let the man speak!’

While a third said: ‘I do think Disney should have used real dwarfs in Snow White. If the actors wanted to play them I don’t see why they shouldn’t have been able too… #ThisMorning.’

Someone else penned: ‘@thismorning for crying out loud..the original snow white was animated..so what is the problem.. would everyone like to see the Texas chainsaw massacre animated… no… was Shrek supposed to be played by humans … no… just accept the film for what it is… avatar is CGI and acting.’