Student Banned From World Book Day Activities for Wearing a Christian Grey Costume to School

11-year-old Liam Scholes was told to alter his outfit after it was deemed" inappropriate" by teachers

By Jenna Mullins Mar 06, 2015 8:51 PMTags
Today Show Exclusive, Fifty Shades of Grey, Jamie DornanNBC

And now for a story that might make you a bit uncomfortable or outraged. Or perhaps uncomfortably outraged. Or outrageously uncomfortable.

Thursday was World Book Day, and traditionally, people dress up as their favorite literary characters to celebrate. Schools have lots of activities and kids are urged to take part by wearing costumes to honor their favorite books.

So that's why Liam Scholes, an 11-year-old student in the U.K., showed up to school in a full Fifty Shades of Grey costume. He went as Christian Grey, the troubled, handsome, rich businessman who loves BDSM and having his lovers sign contracts so he can dominate them. Liam wore a grey suit, slicked his hair back and even carried around a blindfold and cable ties to complete the ensemble.

Let the World Book Day fun commence, right?

However, according to Liam's mother, Nicola, the school banned Liam from activities and photos due to his choice of costume.

"I got a phone call home from the school saying the outfit was inappropriate and that he had been excluded from taking part or being in any of the photographs," she told the Manchester Evening News. "Me and the teacher agreed to disagree and it's not being taken any further but I was disappointed for Liam that he'd been stopped from taking part and that he's had a dressing down."

One reason Nicola protested the school's decision to punish Liam was because a teacher showed up in a costume that she found just as controversial.

"One of the teachers went dressed as Dexter and I don't see why sex is seen as more offensive than murder," she said. "If it was a primary school I could understand but it's a secondary school and the book and the film have been everywhere. It's one of the most famous books in recent years and it's not like the pupils will be unaware of it."

Sale High School released a statement regarding Liam's costume, claiming that they didn't ban him from activities; they simply made him alter his outfit.

"The school stands by the decision it made yesterday in relation to the costume worn by one of its students to World Book Day. The decision reflects the school's high standards in terms of student behavior, welfare and safeguarding. The student was not excluded from taking part in any of the activities as has been wrongly reported, his costume was modified and he was then able to fully participate and enjoy the day with his peers. The aim of our world book day events was to celebrate and encourage reading and we are disappointed that what was a fantastic day for our students, has been marred by this issue."

As for Liam, he saw his whole Fifty Shades ensemble as just harmless fun.

"I thought personally I didn't want to go as a cartoon character, so I chose Christian Grey just to have a bit of fun," he said. "It's just a character that's been brought up a lot over the past few years, so I just thought as a bit of fun I'll go as Christian Grey, people who we had told thought it was funny and we agreed."

Do you think Liam's costume was inappropriate or just silliness in the name of literary celebration?

PHOTOS: Here's some Jamie Dornan sexiness for you...