A 74-year-old Shakespeare impersonator has resigned from his unpaid role in Stratford-upon-Avon after being accused of making racist remarks about Muslims and Jews in a pub.
Paul Workman, known locally as 'Mr Shakespeare', had been a familiar sight in the town for the past eight years.
He stepped down before taking part in the annual Shakespeare birthday parade last month after the town council received a complaint about comments he allegedly made in February.
Workman was summoned to a meeting with Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council to discuss the allegations.
A 74-year-old Shakespeare impersonator has resigned from his unpaid role in Stratford-upon-Avon after being accused of making racist remarks
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However, he resigned before the meeting took place, claiming he was a victim of "cancel culture".
The 74-year-old insists he is not racist but admits some people may have found his comments "triggering".
Workman explained he was at the pub discussing a pottery class with a friend when another person joined their conversation.
"We ended up talking about politics and World War Two and I was comparing what Russia is doing to Ukraine to what the Nazis did," he said.
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Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Stratford-upon-AvonGetty"I can't remember the exact words I used but my point was that you have to get into the minds of the people involved."
He believes he said "something about Muslims and Jews" which "got blown out of all proportion".
Workman claims he was told his comments were inappropriate, so he left to avoid trouble.
Weeks later, he discovered two people had complained to the council, including someone who wasn't present during the conversation.
Rather than face potential dismissal, Workman decided to resign.
"I didn't want to get booted out and be another victim of cancel culture so I got ahead of the game and stepped down," he said.
"I now regret not telling my side of the story because I feel like I've been victimised on the basis of pub gossip and rumour," Workman added.
Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council has confirmed they have replaced Workman with another impersonator.
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The widowed grandfather has lived in Stratford-upon-Avon for 38 years and runs a Hamlet-themed B&B.
He claims to have been "inundated" with support since stepping down.
"Since I stepped down I've been inundated by people saying how badly treated I've been and how I shouldn't have been forced to quit," he said.
"I will really miss being Stratford's Mr Shakespeare. It's a big role with responsibility."
The town council has confirmed they have replaced Workman with another impersonator.
Town clerk Caroline Nash said: "Following a complaint regarding alleged comments made in a public setting, Mr Workman was invited to a meeting to discuss this matter."
"He did not take up this offer and we then received a response resigning from his voluntary role."
