The BBC has withdrawn a children’s educational game that controversially included Guy Fawkes alongside figures such as Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, and Emmeline Pankhurst as “astonishing activists.” The online resource, part of the BBC Bitesize series designed for primary school students, allowed children to learn about individuals who fought against racism, campaigned for women's rights, and made significant historical impacts. However, the inclusion of Fawkes, the 17th-century Catholic conspirator who attempted to assassinate King James I and destroy the Parliament building in what became known as the Gunpowder Plot, sparked criticism.

The game invited players to assume the role of Fawkes during the 1605 plot, helping him evade the royal guards in the basement of Parliament and even engaging in activities like killing rats while imprisoned in the Tower of London. Educational content within the resource outlined the historic context of Bonfire Night, which commemorates the failure of Fawkes’ plot to blow up the House of Lords by detonating barrels of gunpowder beneath it. The conspiracy was intended to trigger a Catholic uprising by killing the King and his political allies, motivated by grievances over religious persecution. Fawkes was captured, subjected to torture, and executed, with conspirators subsequently hunted down and punished.

In contrast, the sections of the game dedicated to Mandela, Parks, and Pankhurst focused on widely recognized acts of social justice and positive activism. For example, players could help Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment and participate in forming a truth and reconciliation commission following apartheid. The segment on Rosa Parks highlighted her refusal to give up a bus seat in segregated Alabama, which led to a civil rights boycott, while learners acting as Emmeline Pankhurst engaged in campaigning for women’s suffrage.

The BBC Bitesize platform also features games where children take the roles of celebrated explorers and pioneers like astronaut Neil Armstrong, aviator Amelia Earhart, and medieval traveler Ibn Battuta.

Responding to criticism, the BBC stated that the description of Guy Fawkes as an “astonishing activist” was not appropriately tailored for their young audience. The corporation confirmed it had removed the game and affirmed its ongoing commitment to reviewing educational materials to ensure they remain relevant and suitable for children.