Wonka star Paterson Joseph is at a loss after becoming a meme: ‘I don’t know what to do’

The actor has become a meme thanks to fans of his Peep Show character Alan Johnson

Roxy Simons
·Entertainment Editor
·3-min read

Watch: Wonka star Paterson Joseph reacts to fans making his character a Peep Show meme

Wonka star Paterson Joseph is baffled about his becoming a meme on social media ahead of the release of the musical.

Fans of his work on Peep Show have taken to the internet with glee to share images of his Wonka character Slugworth alongside iconic quotes from his Peep Show character Alan Johnson, with a Roald Dahl twist.

Johnson is a nemesis to Mark (David Mitchell) and Jeremy (Robert Webb) in the Channel 4 cult hit sitcom, a loan manager who is a ruthless businessman and has several memorable quotes, many of which fans have adapted to fit with Slugworth.

Joseph's character in Wonka is a member of the Chocolate Cartel, who do everything in their power to stop budding chocolatier Willy Wonka from opening his own shop and wowing the world with his creations, thus putting Slugworth, Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton), and Prodnose (Matt Lucas) out of business.

"I have noticed that and I don't know what to do about that, because, well, I'm meant to be promoting this and not the back catalogue of Peep Show," Joseph admits.

Wonka (Warner Bros.)
Patterson Joseph in Wonka (Warner Bros.)

"I've sort of kept myself out of it, there have been some really good ones though... some of them are quite rude, lots ending with 'stick it up your dojo', which is a Johnson quote."Paterson Joseph

Peep Show aired from 2003 to 2015 and followed the lives of dysfunctional friends Mark and Jeremy over the years.

Joseph portrayed Alan Johnson in all nine seasons of the show, either appearing as a main character or in a guest role capacity.

Robert Webb and David Mitchell were the stars of Channel 4's delightfully awkward sitcom 'Peep Show'. (Credit: Channel 4)
Robert Webb and David Mitchell were the stars of Channel 4's delightfully awkward sitcom Peep Show. (Credit: Channel 4)

One such Johnson quote adapted by a Peep Show fan and shared on social media includes: "You know what I’m hearing Wonka? Poor me. Poor me. Pour me another fizzy lifting drink!"

While another Johnson quote given a Wonka twist by a fan reads: "In. Fire 30% of the Oompa Loompas. New logo. Boom. Out. You are now a fully trained chocolate factory management consultant."

"I don't know what to make of it," Jospeh admits. "It's not the same character, so I think 'how can I reply to this?'"

"So I just see it and go 'it's nice' and how lovely to have a character that people remember and have tropes for, lines that I can't even remember saying."Paterson Joseph

"It's a very great privilege, so I don't. I never go, 'look, hey, I'll have you know I'm a very versatile actor and you shouldn't be taking one character with another', but yeah, it's fine."

Wonka will be released in cinemas on Friday, 8 December.

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