The last ever episode of BBC children’s programme The Tweenies was broadcast on this day in 2002 (July 25) – but its three year run was not without its controversies.
The popular programme, which centered around ‘Tweenies’ called Milo, Jake, Bella and Fizz, along with dogs Doodles and Izzles, delighted viewers from 1999-2002.
However, some of its episodes caused outrage when they were rebroadcast in subsequent years – while its deals linked to merchandising also came under scrutiny during the show’s original run.
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On the 20th anniversary of the show ending, Daily Star takes a look at The Tweenies biggest controversies.
Distasteful Jimmy Savile parody
(Image: BBC)
In 2013, the BBC received over 216 complaints after an episode of The Tweenies featured a character who appeared to be dressed as sex offender Jimmy Saville.
The former DJ and presenter abused more than 200 people over a 60 year period before he died in 2011 aged 84, with a Metropolitan police report stating that Jimmy Savile was a “prolific, predatory sex offender.”
The episode of The Tweenies was originally made in 2001, with the BBC broadcasting the repeat in 2013 – two years after Jimmy Saville’s sickening crimes were investigated by the police.
(Image: BBC)
It featured the character Max wearing a blonde wig, a tracksuit and using Jimmy Saville’s accents and catchphrases, leaving viewers horrified and taking to social media to express their anger at the distasteful parody.
One viewer said: “Dear CBeebies, I’m not sure this was a good choice of DJ to impersonate on The Tweenies today,” while a second added: “Are BBC trying to self destruct? Max from Tweenies dressed as Jimmy Savile just now nearly choked on my cornflakes.”
The broadcast also angered abuse charities, with Peter Saunders of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, saying to Daily Mail: “There’s no doubt it could re-traumatise people. You can’t understate just what it means to people who have suffered abuse.”
The BBC soon apologised for broadcasting the episode, saying in a statement: “This programme will not be repeated and we are very sorry for any offence caused.”
Dentist row
(Image: BBC)
During The Tweenies original run between 1999-2002, a song featured in the series sparked outrage among dentists.
The song, which was uploaded to the CBeebies website, was found to contain the lyrics: “Sweets for my breakfast, sweets for my lunch and sweets for my supper too”.
After the song seemed to encourage children to ear sweets constantly, the programme came under fire from the British Dental Health Association, with Chief Executive Dr Nigel Carter saying in a statement: “I find it completely unacceptable that the BBC would use some of its most popular and influential characters to encourage children to eat more sweets.”
He added: “As a state-run channel, and one which we pay for in licence fees, the BBC has a duty to provide young people with educational as well as entertaining content. Unfortunately on this occasion it has failed to do so.”
(Image: BBC)
Dr Nigel Carter went on to say: “As a charity that is dedicated to improving oral health in the UK, we are constantly looking at ways of promoting healthy eating to children and their parents.
“However, when you have such major institutions as the BBC and the Government actively encouraging sweet-eating among children, it makes our job so much harder.”
The song was later removed from the CBeebies website, with the BBC addressing the decision saying: “The BBC takes its responsibilities extremely seriously about promoting healthy living and balanced diet in its children’s programmes.”
They added: “On the website the song may have been featured out of the context in which it was shown in the programme and to avoid any further confusion and concern we have taken it down.”
Toy Fraud
(Image: BBC)
Like many famous children’s TV programmes, The Tweenies became an instant hit with viewers who wanted a piece of the show to take with them.
From stuffed toys to a variety of items with the character’s faces on, fans could not get enough of their favourite Tweenies characters.
However in 2004, an ex-BBC executive was jailed for 20 months after taking bribes from agents of firms who made toys linked to children’s programmes – including The Tweenies.
It was reported at the time by the BBC that the executive accepted between £188,000 between 1999-2001, in return for supplying contracts to the companies.
BBC Worldwide later sued EMS, who had been acting as the BBC’s merchandising agent in Hong Kong, for over £1.25m in damages.
A statement at the time from Rupert Gavin, Chief Executive of BBC Worldwide said: “We welcome the fact that the investigations have now resulted in charges.
“BBC Worldwide has been cooperating fully with the ICAC and we have been keeping them abreast of the key findings from our own extensive internal investigations.
“We have initiated our own civil action against EMS but given impending legal proceedings, we clearly cannot make any further comment at this stage.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
