Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2013/01/21/bbc_apology/
This week's BBC MELTDOWN: Savile puppet haunts kids' TV
Parents choke on cornflakes at Tweenies shocker
Posted in Legal, 21st January 2013 11:23 GMT
The BBC has apologised for airing an episode of kiddies show The Tweenies featuring a puppet "impersonating Jimmy Savile".
Outraged parents choked on their cornflakes on Sunday morning as the offending programme, filmed back in 2001, exposed wide-eyed nippers to "Max" - a character "in a blonde wig, wearing Savile's trademark tracksuits and using his accent and catchphrases".
A shaken Kenny Senior composed himself sufficiently to tweet: "Are BBC trying to self destruct? Max from Tweenies dressed as Jimmy Savile just now nearly chokes [sic] on my cornflakes."
According to The Telegraph, "concerned father" Mark Roberts thundered: "The complete lack of quality control the BBC have over their programming was absolutely sickening. The song he introduced just makes everything worse. Somebody at the BBC should get fired for this."
A suitably contrite Auntie said: "CBeebies broadcast a repeat of an episode of the Tweenies, originally made in 2001, featuring a character dressed as a DJ impersonating Jimmy Savile. This programme will not be repeated and we are very sorry for any offence caused."
The late Savile - described by police as a "prolific, predatory sex offender" - is alleged to have abused "more than 200 people over a 60-year period". ®