An 11-year-old British boy was reportedly banned from his school's annual book celebration after he showed up dressed as the mysterious sex-crazed millionaire Christian Grey from the erotic trilogy and movie "Fifty Shades of Grey."
Liam Scholes' mother said it was her son's idea to show up at his school in Greater Manchester for the annual World Book Day dressed as Grey, who in the book introduces his lover Anastasia Steele to the world of BDSM, The Guardian reported. The boy's outfit was complete with cable ties and an eye mask.
But while Liam and his mother Nicola thought it was clever, staff at Sale High School found it inappropriate and excluded Liam from event photographs and requested he change his character to James Bond, she told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It has been massively blown out of proportion. It was meant as a laugh and tongue-in-cheek," Nicola Scholes said.
The mother, who is a teacher, argued there were plenty of other children dressed as characters more inappropriate than Christian Grey, including criminals and serial killers like the protagonist in "Dexter."
"They wanted him to be James Bond [who] ironically is a very promiscuous character who kills people," Scholes told BBC Radio. "So I don't know who is worse of the two."
She also noted her son's character choice was a huge hit among his classmates.
School officials said the information circulated about the incident is not entirely accurate.
"The student was not excluded from taking part in any of the activities as has been wrongly reported," Sale High School headteacher Lynn Nicholls said according to The Guardian. "His costume was modified and he was then able to fully participate and enjoy the day with his peers."
The R-rated movie "Fifty Shades of Grey" has shattered box office records since its release on Valentine's Day, earning more than $500 million worldwide.
Liam's mother said he did not see the movie or read any of the books, The Guardian reported.
