This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 195.226.47.82 (talk) at 13:54, 4 October 2007 (→Controversy: Mentioned announcement regarding Mr Laird's fire safety leaflet). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 13:54, 4 October 2007 by 195.226.47.82 (talk) (→Controversy: Mentioned announcement regarding Mr Laird's fire safety leaflet)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Keith Lard (full name Keith Winston Lard), is a fictional fire safety officer from Bolton, played by Peter Kay. Keith Lard has appeared in two of Peter Kay's TV comedies on Channel 4, That Peter Kay Thing (in the episode 'Eyes Down') and in the first series of Phoenix Nights.
The Character
Keith Lard is portrayed as an over zealous jobsworth, who takes immense pride in his work raising awareness for fire safety through training seminars and safety inspection. He despises people's apathy and seemingly ignorant attitude towards fire safety, frequently scaring his bored audience with an air horn.
Private Life
Lard's private life is the subject of speculation and ridicule regarding his unhealthy relationship with dogs (even with claims of bestiality). In his first appearance in 'Eyes Down', Lard is seemingly oblivious to the snide comments made to him by the bingo staff attending his seminar. However at the end of the episode he is seen being led away by police. When he appears in Phoenix Nights, it is made apparent by Brian Potter that he was charged with bestiality by the police, but not convicted due to lack of evidence.
Controversy
A real life fire safety officer, Mr.Keith Laird, complained to Channel 4 about the character of Keith Lard, claiming the character damaged his reputation and personal integrity (in particular Keith Lard's interest in bestiality).
Mr. Laird possessed some similarities to the character of Keith Lard, working for Bolton Council as a fire safety officer, and even resembling the character in appearance.
Channel 4 and Peter Kay were forced to apologise to Mr. Laird for the embarrassment caused, with a reported payment of £10,000 being split amongst Mr. Laird and various fire safety organisations. In addition, Channel 4 broadcast a statement stressing that the character of Keith Lard was fictional and not based on Mr. Keith Laird. A short message inviting viewers to write to Channel 4 for a fire safety leaflet prepared by Mr Laird has been appended to the closing credits of Series 1, Episode 3 in all subsequent repeats and the DVD release.