Key Points
- TikTok creator Tennessee Thresher sparked controversy by claiming Wales should be represented by England at the World Cup due to proximity to London.
- The comments triggered widespread backlash highlighting Welsh cultural identity, history, and the decline of the Welsh language, with prominent Welsh figures condemning the remarks.
- Social media users and creators responded by promoting Welsh heritage and educating audiences, reigniting discussions on national pride and historical suppression.
When TikTok creator Tennessee Thresher suggested that Wales should be represented by England at the World Cup because it’s only “two-and-a-half hours away from London,” she likely didn’t expect to ignite a nationwide debate about identity, history, and respect. But that’s exactly what happened on December 6, 2025, as her comments—made during a podcast—quickly went viral, sparking a wave of outrage and soul-searching across social media and beyond.
Thresher, who boasts more than 1.4 million followers on TikTok, argued that Wales shouldn’t compete separately from England in the upcoming World Cup, citing the short travel distance as her reasoning. According to BBC, she remarked, “I think someone has to have a long hard think about Wales not being part of England.” For many, this wasn’t just a casual comment about football logistics—it was a dismissal of centuries of Welsh culture, language, and national pride.
The backlash was immediate and fierce. TikTok users flooded the platform with videos showcasing iconic Welsh landscapes, snippets of the Welsh language, and reminders of the nation’s unique history. It wasn’t just about football anymore. As reported by BBC and The Guardian, the incident reignited old wounds and longstanding frustrations about how Wales is perceived, particularly by its larger neighbor across the border.
Prominent Welsh figures didn’t hold back. Elen Wyn, a star of the show Traitors and a passionate advocate for Welsh heritage, condemned the influencer’s remarks. “No matter the intention behind her words, the impact is detrimental,” Wyn told BBC, emphasizing the significance of the Welsh language—one of the oldest living languages in Europe—and the deep stories, music, and tradition it carries. “Wales carries centuries of stories, music, and traditions,” she said, urging greater awareness rather than dismissal of the nation’s heritage.
The Welsh language, once spoken by 90% of the population in the 16th century, has seen a dramatic decline. According to ONS figures, only 27.2% of people spoke Welsh as of June 2025. The decline isn’t just a statistic; it’s a symbol of historical suppression and cultural loss. Lili Hope, a 22-year-old from Newport, shared with BBC that her mother received the infamous ‘Welsh Not’ in school in the 1970s—a piece of wood given to children caught speaking Welsh, with punishment for whoever had it at week’s end. “The whole intention of colonisation was to erase Welsh identity, this further eradicates it… it discredits a whole nation. It’s important to understand the historical weight behind comments made,” Hope said.
Indeed, the ‘Welsh Not’ is a painful reminder of a time when speaking Welsh was actively discouraged in schools—a policy that persisted well into the 19th and even 20th centuries. As BBC detailed, it was more than just a classroom rule; it was part of a broader system designed to suppress the Welsh language and, by extension, Welsh identity. For many in Wales, Thresher’s comments felt like a modern echo of this old injustice.
The relationship between England and Wales has never been simple. The Norman invasion of 1066 marked the beginning of centuries of English encroachment, culminating in the Act of Union in 1536, which officially made Wales part of England. By 1707, Wales became part of the United Kingdom, yet it retained a distinct cultural identity that has endured despite political integration. The Welsh Language Act of 1993 was a turning point, finally granting Welsh equal status with English in public life and government affairs—a hard-won recognition of the language’s value and the people’s resilience.
Social media, for all its faults, has played a surprising role in this latest chapter of Welsh history. In the wake of Thresher’s remarks, creators like Cai Rhys from Cardiff used TikTok to educate and inspire. Rhys’s response video racked up 700,000 views, as he explained to BBC, “One moment on a podcast has sparked up an entire nation.” He noted that the lack of knowledge about Wales is all too common and that many English people still conflate Wales with England. “Wales has always been seen as sister to England, but in reality it’s its own country, it has its own heritage, its own language,” Rhys said. He also viewed Thresher’s eventual apology and self-education as a “win,” saying, “We’re seeing history lessons on Welsh TikTok which is beautiful to see.”
Thresher did apologize, stating on December 7, 2025, that she had since taken the time to educate herself on Welsh history. But for many, the apology, while welcome, couldn’t undo the sting of her original remarks. As Elen Wyn put it, “I don’t really care about her apology… I think everyone should respond by raising awareness, acknowledging our history and bringing light to our culture and celebrating everything we have survived.” Wyn’s sentiment was echoed by many who see such incidents as opportunities to reaffirm Welsh pride and resilience.
The controversy also brought renewed attention to the ongoing struggle to preserve and revitalize the Welsh language. As The Guardian and BBC both highlighted, efforts to protect and recover the language are about more than words—they’re about community, continuity, and a sense of belonging. “It’s actually an older language than English, which tells us this is a language which carries stories, music, poetry and community,” Wyn explained.
For younger generations, the episode has become a rallying point. Many are using the moment to educate themselves and others, sharing stories of family members who faced punishment for speaking Welsh or who struggled to keep their heritage alive. There’s a palpable sense of renewed pride, a determination not to let the mistakes of the past—or the ignorance of the present—define the future.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the debate over Welsh identity is far from over. But if there’s a silver lining to the uproar, it’s that more people—both inside and outside Wales—are talking about what makes the nation unique. Whether on the football pitch or the digital stage, the fight for recognition, respect, and cultural survival continues. And for many in Wales, that fight is as important now as it ever was.
