Ricky Gervais: Bearskin Caps Are Not a Laughing Matter

Ricky Gervais shot to fame with his witty role as David Brent in The Office, but now he's showing his serious side by writing to Prime Minister Gordon Brown about The Queen's Guards' bearskin caps. Ricky took time out from his hectic writing and filming schedule to urge Brown to implement a fur-free policy at the Ministry of Defence and ditch the use of real fur for good.

In the letter, which you can read in full, Gervais writes, "The issue I am writing to you about today is not a laughing matter". The award-winning star goes on to explain how Canadian black bears are slaughtered for their skins, which often leaves cubs orphaned – just to make The Queen's Guards' ceremonial caps.

Ricky adds, "Won't you please take the necessary steps to replace the bearskins used for the Guards' caps with a synthetic material? I understand and appreciate the importance of uniforms, but continuing to use real fur in the 21st century is inexcusable, regardless of 'tradition'".

Ricky, who has expressed his disgust with other forms of cruelty to animals before, joins another member of The Office team, Lucy Davis, in the campaign against the use of real bear fur for The Queen's Guards' caps. Lucy posed naked for a "Bare Skin, Not Bear Skin" ad for PETA.

You Can Help:
Join Ricky and thousands of other compassionate people by signing the petition below calling for a humane alternative to the Guards' bearskin caps.

Sign this petition:

Instead of financially supporting the shameful slaughter of black bears for The Queen's Guards' ceremonial caps, Great Britain should set a compassionate example by switching to a humane and progressive alternative and commit to stopping the killing of black bears.

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