Daily Mail readers...absolutely correct on this one

[sp1814]

Should the BBC stick by their one-armed CBeebies presenter, Cerrie Burnell or should she be moved to protect children who are reportedly 'scared' by her appearance:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-115246 6/One-armed-presenter-scaring-children-parents -tell-BBC.html

For once, I am in agreement with the majority of posts on the Daily Mail website.

Had to happen one day (like the infinite number of monkeys eventually producing the works of Shakespeare).

[sophie_1003]

Lonnie- I am in genuine shock at the attitude of parents you describe where they think autism can be caught! I thought we were living in a time now where people have basic knowledge that the worse things their children will catch are colds headlice and stomach bugs! I suppose it all comes down to education and experience, people are (but shouldn't be) afraid of what they think is different, children on the other hand realise and accept that everyone is different but will often treat them equally regardless, that is until some helpful adult turns of the TV because the person presenting isn't 'normal'.

[LoftyLottie2]

Young children are not frightened by disabilities and difference. They are curious and question in their own innocent way and then just get on with whatever they were doing! Little children are very accepting of creed, colour, disability, etc.

If they are frightened of disability then it is learned from their parents and carers.

[brionon]

Ashamed of these people who complain.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

You introduce a perfectly good news item for open debate, on which everyone seems to be of one mind..

But then you have to spoil it all by introducing a rather pointless quip regarding the Daily Mail and not content on this you then go on to have a cheap jab at R1Geezer.

Is it any wonder that by using these tactics you trivialise the whole idea of having a sensible debate on a rather disturbing news item.

[anotheoldgit]

To answer the point of the BBC introducing quotas in the name of political correctness. Even to their soap operas, apparently.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1 153903/BBC-screen-episode-EastEnders-featuring -black-cast.html

The BBC lead in this field ie the right mix of women, blacks, Asians, homosexuals etc etc.

But now it is horrible to think that they most likely employed this Lady because she was disabled.

Incidentally persons who appear on TV do have to fit in with the following criteria young glamorous/handsome. There doesn't seem to be a place on TV if you happen to have been bitten by the ugly bug.

[Oneeyedvic]

Incidentally persons who appear on TV do have to fit in with the following criteria young glamorous/handsome. There doesn't seem to be a place on TV if you happen to have been bitten by the ugly bug.

Lets look at Eastenders - which of the following do you consider attractive: Sonia Jackson, Big Mo, Pat Butcher, Pauleen Fowler?

How about 'presenters': like Carol Thatcher, Judy Finegan, Carol McGiffin?

Another unsubstantiated claim?

[sp1814]

AOG

And I thought it was only 'us lefties' who didn't have a sense of humour.

Thank you for proving me wrong.

[Quinlad]

AOG - Adrian Chiles presents BBC TV shows six nights a week.

Did they employ the lady just because she was disabled? How often have you watched her? Which aspects of her presentation style did you find particularly weak?

[sp1814]

Further to the debate on looks:

Andrew Marr and Evan Davis. Neither are particularly pretty but they're absolutely brilliant presenters.

And then there's Jeremy Clarkson.

[jno]

sp1814, going out on a limb here, but I think the liberalisation of abortion may have something to do with this. In the 'good' old days, people just took babies as they came, though mother nature often spontaneously aborted those with major malformations (apparently this happens a lot). Now, though, mums-to-be have scans and tests to uncover any possible deviation from the norm, and can choose to abort a foetus if it's not pretty 'normal'. Result: a much narrower range of 'normal' attributes, and people with one arm (etc) are much rarer than they once were. On top of that, as we no longer send whole generations off to war, you don't see the terrible wounds that people used to have. There were quite few badly wounded ex-soldiers around in my youth; people weren't shocked. Now, however, almost everyone arrives practically perfect in any way, thanks to quality control, and people have a lower tolerance of 'abnormality'.

I'n not disagreeing with you here, just trying to point out why this may be the case.

[ELVIS68]

Could be worse

Andi Peters is still out there and describing a black gay TV presenter is a lot harder than describing a women presenter with an arm missing

[socket2008]

I wait with bated breathe the parent that takes Cerrie Burnell to court for scaring their child and then subsequently get a five figure payout.

Coming from another angle, when I was a kid, I was frightened by Blue Peter's Joey Deacon. I used to hide behind the sofa as did my sister. Hmmm where did I put that BBC complaint telephone number...

[horselady]

I just can't believe those parents. Strangely enough I was looking after my small grandson yesterday so we had the programme on, not something I would normally watch, and I don't know whether my grandson had seen the lady before, but he certainly did not react in any way at all, nor would I expect him to.

[LoftyLottie2]

I was terrified of clowns when I was a small child (in fact I still don't like them). Perhaps my parents should have complained to the BBC!

[sqad617]

Lofty...good morning. I thought that you would end your post by saying...."and then I married one" LOL.....just a joke.

[sp1814]

ELVIS68

Errr...in what way is describing a black, gay TV presenter difficult.

Here's my attempt - Andi Peters is black, gay TV presenter.

Am I missing something???

[katerich48]

I had a simiar experience with my daughter when she was very young 4 or 5 when she saw one legged man - she turned to me and said "why has that man not got another leg" So I explaned as best I could probably an accident etc, etc., But she was more confused than scared as it was the first time she'd seen anyone disabled in that way ...

[smudge742]

I don't think it should be an issue at all, my son watches Something Special too and he adores it, it doesn't 'scare' him in anyway and neither does the presenter on Cbeebies. I guess these narrow-minded parents just don't want to get into certain conversations! I didn't even notice Cerrie only had one arm until she'd been presenting for over a week!

[anotheoldgit]

Andy Akinwolere off Blue Peter scares me.

[Quinlad]

Because he's a savage?