Controversial Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has fled Britain and flown to the US, where he has decided to settle permanently to escape being cancelled.
The once successful comedy writer, who was also behind TV hits such as the IT Crowd, Black Books and Motherland, says his life in the UK had become 'unbearable' because he no longer feels Britain has free speech in the toxic debate over the trans issue.
Linehan has now established a new base in Scottsdale, Arizona where he is attempting to rebuild his comedy writing career.
His dramatic decision to move permanently to the US came after espousal of the 'gender critical' views opposed to increased trans rights destroyed his career in entertainment, lost him most of his friends and colleagues and finally caused the break-up of his 16-year marriage to fellow writer Helen Serafinowicz.
Irish-born Linehan, 57, who had spent 30 years living in the UK, returned on 1 September to face trial after being accused of harassing a transgender woman with abusive comments and damaging her phone.
