'It was absolutely ridiculous': David Essex slams C4 over 'Big Fat' gipsy film Seventies heart-throb David Essex has attacked Channel 4 over its latest documentary about gipsies, labelling it "nonsense." The singer and ex-EastEnders star, who comes from an Irish traveller background, was infuriated by My Big Fat Gypsy Christening, a sequel to popular series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. The one-off film was watched by 2.2 million viewers earlier this month. "It was absolutely ridiculous," said Essex, 66, who has recently filmed a movie about gipsies called Traveller. He said the show trivialised the community and added: "I was with some travellers recently filming on a site, and they were going on and on about how it was so detrimental and shows them in a bad light. It is nonsense. David Essex (pictured here in All the Fun of the Fair at the Garrick Theatre) branded the show 'nonsense' The singer explained how he once became Patron of the Gypsy Council because he wanted to use his profile to counteract prejudices about travelling communities. He said: "My grandfather was a travelling tinker man from Cork. That's why I got involved. Essex was talking ahead of a UK arena tour that will see him perform with a host of 1970s icons, including The Osmonds. He admitted he had reservations about taking part. I was reluctant initially because I'm not big on nostalgia. A lot of these people seem stuck in the 1970s. But I'm glad I did [accept] because it's like a celebration of a generation. Essex assured fans he was not about to retire, saying: "This is not my final rock tour. I will do one again. But he added: "If there is a point when I feel like I'm flogging a dead horse, then it'll be time to p*** off!" Sequel: My Big Fat Gypsy Christening was a sequel to the popular My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (bride Bridget pictured with her bridesmaids)