Deepfake Queen to deliver comical Alternative Christmas Message

Thursday 24th December 2020, 10:37am

Alternative Christmas Message 2020
  • A comical take on The Queen will deliver Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message this year
  • 'Deepfake' technology is used to make it appear as if the monarch is dancing and revealing her inner thoughts
  • Impressionist Debra Stephenson voices The Queen, delivering a script by comedy writer James Kettle

This year's Alternative Christmas Message on Channel 4 uses 'deepfake' technology to make it appear as if The Queen is delivering a comical speech and performing a TikTok dance routine.

The four-minute special is due to be broadcast on Christmas Day at 3:25pm, shortly after the real Queen's speech has been broadcast on BBC One and ITV.

Debra Stephenson, the impressionist who works on shows such as Dead Ringers and Spitting Image, has voiced the monarch for the programme. It has been penned by comedy writer James Kettle. The full text can be read at the bottom of this story.

Channel 4 explains: "The annual televised Christmas Day broadcast, usually a message of hope and unity, will be a stark warning about the advanced technology that is enabling the proliferation of misinformation and fake news in a digital age.

"Startlingly familiar at first, the Queen speaks 'plainly and from the heart' in the address to reveal what she and Philip have been up to in lockdown, offer a hint about Prince Andrew's future travel plans and share what she really thinks of Harry and Meghan's move. Following a breath-taking TikTok dance routine the Queen says the theme of her Christmas message is 'trust' and in a final remark warns viewers to question 'whether what we see and hear is always as it seems'."

The channel explains of the technology: "The 'deepfake' Queen on screen has been created by Oscar-winning VFX studio Framestore. Deepfake technology can be used to create convincing, yet entirely fictional video content of people in the public eye, and therefore can be used to spread misinformation. With such advancements in technology enabling a slick and believable presentation of misinformation across all areas of life, from politics to public health, it's never been more important to seek out trusted sources."

Debra Stephenson says: "I have an intense fascination with deepfake technology. For years I have studied people to impersonate them for TV, but now I can truly become them. As an actress it is thrilling but it is also terrifying if you consider how this could be used in other contexts."

Channel 4's Ian Katz comments: "Deepfake technology is the frightening new frontier in the battle between misinformation and truth. This year's Alternative Christmas Address - seemingly delivered by one of the most familiar and trusted figures in the nation - is a powerful reminder that we can no longer trust our own eyes."

Channel 4 will also broadcast the documentary Deepfakes: Can You Believe Your Eyes on 28th December.

However, the announcement has already come under fire for being "crass" and in "poor taste". Posts on social media included criticism that it was inappropriate at the end of a "difficult year".

This will be the first time the Alternative Christmas Message has featured The Queen. Running since 1993, it has previously featured the thoughts of celebrities as varied as Jamie Oliver, Sharon Osbourne, Danny Dyer and US government whistle-blower Edward Snowden.

There have been several comedy-related Alternative Christmas Messages in the past. In 1999, Sacha Baron Cohen delivered a message as Ali G; Rory Bremner appeared as Princess Diana in 1996; and in 2012 the segment was presented by Last Leg host Adam Hills. It has also been delivered by The Simpsons.

The Alternative Christmas Message 2020 - full transcript

Alternative Christmas Message 2020

For nearly seventy years, I have kept a tradition of speaking to you at Christmas.

But on the BBC, I haven't always been able speak plainly and from the heart.

So, I am grateful to Channel 4 for giving me the opportunity to say whatever I like, without anyone putting words in my mouth.

If there is a theme to my message today, it is trust. Trust in what is genuine - and what is not.

2020 has been a challenging year for us all. A year when most of you, thanks to toilet roll shortages, have finally understood how it feels to have a predicament on the throne.

One thing that has sustained many of us is our families. Which is why I was so saddened by the departure of Harry and Meghan. There are few things more hurtful than someone telling you they prefer the company of Canadians.

But at least I still have my beloved Andrew close by. It seems unlikely he'll be heading to North America any time soon.

2020 has also been a year of heroes. Such as our brave NHS workers, many of whom were forced to take incredible risks, like treating Boris Johnson, knowing at any time, as a result, they too could become pregnant.

As is so often the case, technology helped tackle the challenges we faced this year.

Like many of you, when I wasn't settling down with my husband to "Netflix and Phil", as I like to call it, I was perfecting my moves for TikTok.

In fact, there's something I'm rather excited to share with you all. I'm under strict orders from Philip not to, but as he's nodded off in front of Home Alone 2...

...would you mind, awfully?

You'll have to move that camera back. Everyone ready?

Alternative Christmas Message 2020

If that doesn't get me on Strictly, I don't know what will.

Thank you.

So much of our world today comes to us through these screens. Which brings me back to that question of trust, of whether what we see and hear is always as it seems.

On behalf of myself, your Queen, and all at Channel 4, I trust you will have the very merriest of Merry Christmases.

Update: Here is the video

Making of video

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