'50 Shades of Grey' Costume Gets British Schoolboy Reprimanded

LONDON — An 11-year-old British boy was excluded from his school's World Book Day celebrations after he dressed up as a character from the erotic novel "Fifty Shades of Grey," his mother said. Liam Scholes was reprimanded by staff, according to his mother, after he showed up to class as Christian Grey — complete with grey suit, cable ties and an eye mask.

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"I think it's a big over reaction," said Nicola Scholes, herself a teacher, speaking to NBC News’ U.K. partner ITN on Friday. "He's trying to have a laugh. He's almost 12, he's a bit of a character, he's not shy," she added. Her son told ITN: "Everybody liked it ... everyone thought it was funny and they took it for what it was meant to be."

Nicola Scholes first spoke of the incident in a Facebook post Thursday, alleging that Sale High School, near Manchester, excluded her son from World Book Day photographs and called home to discuss the matter. She suggested the decision was hypocritical, claiming a teacher dressed up as "a serial killer" and other pupils came as characters carrying guns. The school issued a statement Friday saying it "stands by its decision" and clarifying that Scholes was able to take part in photos after modifying his costume.

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— Alexander Smith