Parents complain BBC children's presenter has only one hand

[muriel_volestrangler]

When Cerrie Burnell (pictured) joined the presenting team of the BBC children's programme CBeebies last month many applauded the decision, not least because, as a disabled person with one arm, it appeared to be fulfilling the Beeb's avowed aim of offering equal opportunities.

However, they didn't counter on the bigotry of some parents. A flurry of complaints about the appointment have appeared on parenting message boards on the CBeebies website, with some so vicious that they had to be removed by moderators. Wrote one blogger: "Is it just me, or does anyone else think the new woman presenter on CBeebies may scare the kids because of her disability? I didn't want to let my children watch the filler bits on The Bedtime Hour (a segment of CBeebies) last night because I know it would have played on my eldest daughter's mind and possibly caused sleep problems. And yes, this is a serious post."

Some even accused the BBC of hiring 29-year-old Burnell because of 'political correctness' and solely to meet employment quotas. One notice board comment read: "What is scary is the BBC's determination to show "minorities" on CBeebies at every available opportunity! This new presenter is crap -face facts - but because she has a disability then she was given a job. positive discrimination in my books."

A BBC spokesman said it had received only nine formal complaints about Burnell, and insisted that the new presenter had also received messages of support and that many parents were keen to have a range of people on screen. As to Burnell, who admitted she was upset by some of the remarks, she said: "It just goes to show how important it is to have positive disabled role models on CBeebies and television in general."

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/people,2013,cbeebies-cerrie-burnell-repels-one-arm-attacks,75033

A BBC article on this; and an excellent satirical response:

SATAN MAKES ROOM FOR PARENTS WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT DISABLED TV PRESENTER

PARENTS who complained about a one-armed childrens' TV presenter will have their own very special corner of Hell, Satan confirmed last night.

Lucifers minions are sweeping out a disused basement room that will be kitted out to look like the Teletubbies house and then filled ankle deep with a corrosive mixture of children's vomit, gerbil excrement and out of date Sunny Delight.
...
Bill McKay, a parent from Northampton, said: "I turned on the Bedtime Hour expecting to see it hosted by some incredibly hot babe with a dodgy past in home-made pornography.

"Instead I got something that made my children cry and failed to give me an erection.

"I suppose this was a perfect opportunity to talk to my children about disability but I felt it would be more useful to email the BBC and try to put an end to this young woman's career."

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/satan-makes-room-for-parents-who-complained-about-disabled-tv-presenter-200902241599/

[renate]

1. A British version of The Onion--how cool!

I've bookmarked The Daily Mash--thanks for that link! I've never heard of it! :thumbsup:

And about the parents who complained--stupidity clearly isn't limited to American freepers.