Mother says boy's Fifty Shades of Grey costume was his idea

Nicola Scholes and her son Liam on Good Morning Britain. Credit: ITV/Good Morning Britain

The mother of a boy who was excluded from taking part in World Book Day when he dressed as Fifty Shades of Grey's leading man Christian Grey has insisted the outfit was his idea.

Liam Scholes, 11, was told by his secondary school that his costume was "inappropriate" and he was asked to change it.

His mother Nicola Scholes told Good Morning Britain the World Book Day event was advertised just before the hit movie came out in the cinemas.

Liam Scholes was told his Christian Grey costume was 'inappropriate'. Credit: Nicola Scholes

"At that time every TV show, everything you looked at was all about the film and the characters, and that's why Liam asked could he go to school as Christian Grey," Nicola said.

ITV News' Sarah Rogers reports:

"I'd personally rather spend money on him on buying a new suit than buying him a cartoon character's costume," she continued.

Asked about the use of cable ties as part of her son's suited sadomasochist costume, Nicola stressed they were "tiny ones" she uses for Christmas decorations, adding, "They wouldn't even wrap around his wrist."

Liam said he was surprised by the reaction his World Book Day choice got. "From something so little, from a fancy dress costume, it's gone everywhere," he told GMB.

"It's been a crazy 24 hours," Nicola added.