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Our 2 yr old loves Cerrie , she's lively , fun and great at her job ,,, plus quite fit which makes it better for the watching dads ,, keep up the good work

- scott, derby, 22/01/2012 14:12
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Can we assume that these narrow minded individuals would lock themselves away in their homes to avoid 'scaring' children if they were ever unfortunate enough to lose a limb? Do they turn their children to look the other way every time they pass a disabled person in the street? My 2 year old grandson LOVES this program. We should all be proud of Cerrie and the BBC.

- I.S, Bournemouth, Dorset, 06/06/2011 18:35
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Can we assume that these narrow minded individuals would lock themselves away in their homes to avoid 'scaring' children if they were ever unfortunate enough to lose a limb? Do they turn their children to look the other way every time they pass a disabled person in the street? My 2 year old grandson LOVES this program. We should all be proud of Cerrie and the BBC.

- I.S, Bournemouth, Dorset, 06/06/2011 18:35
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This is only the parents complaining, children do not notice things like this and it certainly would not cause nightmares. I work with 2 to 4 year olds and they are the most accepting people ever. This is all parental concern and I for one would be embarassed to even air my views. I fully applaid Cerrie for everything she does and for doing a job that she obviously loves. The parents who have complained should be ashamed of themselves!!!!

- Caroline, Lowestoft, Suffolk, 30/05/2011 10:07
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I work as a learning disability nurse- as part of health week the head at my kids school asked if I would do a talk to the kids on disabilities- I did this by pointing out that all the kids were in some way "disabled"- wearing glasses; brown eyes/ dark hair (Nazi Germany)etc. The children all found it interesting and thought provoking. My own kids have grown up around people with disabilities and we have always answered any questions as they arise.
I think this is a ridiculous thing for the BBC to even be thinking about acting on these complaints.

- Mummy Bear, Edinburgh, Scotland, 29/05/2011 20:39
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Another reason why they should not have removed the the statue of the woman with spina bifida from the plinth in Trafalgar Square. Why did they remove it? Were they embarrassed too? A statue like that is perfect for raising public awareness. There are people who complain about anything and everything, just ignore them.

- Patrick, London, 29/05/2011 19:42
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I cant believe the way people are being. What if there child saw someone in the street with a disibility how would there parents react then? Is it not our job as parents to explain to our children that all people are different and that its not right to discriminate people Is it also not possible that the bbc may have just seen her as a person who was right for the job and not that she had a disibility. I am actually ashamed that other people act this way.

- karen, Bolton, 29/05/2011 13:22
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we will fight for her job all those that have complaned to the bbc about her disabilty need to get alife at the end of the day she is human just like you i will be speking to my mp to see what thay can do as it is all wrong thats shes been sacked by the bbc fight fight for your rights

- cyril, portsmouth, 29/05/2011 11:07
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Some people are very cruel what would they do if they had someone in there family with a disability stop the kids from seeing them strange people carrie keep up the good work ignore the small minded people.

- sarah, redcar, 29/05/2011 10:57
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How daft arte some parents..i 'm a dad of 4 kids and 3 grandkids and yet they dont see her disability, as responible parents its our place to educate our children and point out what is her disablity, not turn it into a nightmare...if you educate your children they wont think her arm has been chopped up...serious blow it out of the water or what, whats next the mans colour scares my child get him off!!!!

- Andrew, Birmingham, 29/05/2011 10:52
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There is nothing scary about her arm. What exactly is scary about it? She actually has one of the most open, kind and lovely faces i've ever seen, not to mention her mannerisms. If some parents thinks her arm is scary inspite of the big picture, then I think the world is too scary for them.

Image springs to mind of some council estate mums and dads with cigs in their hands chain smoking and scratching their head at the 'scary' concept of having to explain disfigurement to their children. Now THAT is scary.

- Ingmar, Manchester, 27/04/2011 17:19
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You should be very proud of your self cerrie an people should not treat u no different your the same as every one els and have the exact same rites! I'm quite disgusted with some of the comments tha have been left on here you people who are sayin rediculouse things an hurthfull things should be ashamed of your selves... Your are a fantastic presenter an you children love you xxx

- leone phillips, wales pontypridd, 18/04/2011 13:37
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I have 3 year old twin girls and they still haven't noticed and we've been watching for ages, what is so silly is parents complaining about it but just take a moment to think of how proud her parents must be, she has had to deal with this her whole life, imagine for a moment this happening to your child, would you be happy for them to just sit in the background or would you want them to carry on and be treated, as they should be, as normal! Well done Cerrie my girls love you!!

- Jo Wears, Milton Keynes, 24/12/2010 10:36
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I dig the flavours here but those who think she's cool for the hoppers, the Beeb had info leaked of late that they've hired a new Pres to represent on some new kids shows - this dude has 3 wangs.. and two em are on his top lip. How'd ya like dem apples?

- Terminator X, Big Town, Whassupville., 21/10/2010 03:19
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When Cerrie sings, "The time has come to say goodnight it's the end of a lovely day.." I well up - I don't think that has anything to do with a missing lower arm! When you have young children these presenters become regular fixtures in your life and I love having Cerrie as one of those fixtures.

- Nick, Hove, UK, 26/07/2010 22:26
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I watch Cbeebies with my 4 yr old everyday and never once has she asked about Kerry's arm - she is a fab presenter regardless of this!!! Those small-minded ppl should be ashamed of themselves!!!!

- Lizanne Pou, Gibraltar, 12/06/2010 09:25
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i think that some people should really grow up there is nothing wrong with cerrie, just cus she has a diability makes her no different to any body else she is still human... dont you think what people are saying is going to hurt her all she is trying to do is her job.. i really feel for her its wrong that people judge others there is no need.. for all the people that this apperently effecting then why dont you explain to your kids that not everyone is born the same as if you keep them in the dark then they will become bullie in later life as you never explained to them and it just wont be cerries feelings you messing with but hundres of more people in the worl ... so i really thing you should grow a back bone and talk to your kids istead of not letting them watch telly cus cerrie is on tv you really need to grow...

- manda, wem shropshire, 09/06/2010 16:56
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My kids watch CBeebies. They go to school where there are a number of disabled children. They always see the person rather than the disability as with Cerrie. I think that as adults we can be over protective but it is a disappointment that some parents can't follow a childs lead in this case. Well done Cerrie and keep up the good work.

- Mark, Derby, 14/05/2010 11:06
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Perhaps the parents who're worried their kids will be scared should wrap their kids up in cotton wool. and start wearing a swastika. How utterly ridiculous and appalling you are. Perhaps we need to get all disabled people together and stick them on an island so no-one gets scared and have only 'perfect' looking people allowed in society! My 10 year old said he felt upset for her that people have spoken like this. And as for my 13 month old, he just grins inanely as he knows In the Night Garden is coming. No traumatised kids here!

- melanie hamilton, prestatyn wales, 04/05/2010 19:06
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Ouch! These are wicked, vicious comments to make. Does Cerrie look like a monster or alien? No, she is a very pretty and intelligent woman-plus very good at her job. I always let my 2 year watch her and if she ever asked questions about Cerries arm, then I would sit her down and explain to her how Cerrie was born like that. I would then go on to discuss about the vast number of people with different disabilities.

These small minded parents need to open their eyes, as it is them who are scaring their children. They are abviously not clever enough to sit down and talk to them.

I work with special needs children, from autism to behaviour problems. These children are far more intelligent than the parents who have complained.

I say keep up the great work Cerrie and hope to see you for a long time yet.

- mrs melanie morris, chesterfield, england, 28/04/2010 15:02
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Oh come on!!! All those parents who were saying their children were having nightmares!! just plain stupid they were probably having a nightmare about what would happen if they lost a limb and their parents leave them!!! My brother, 1yr old born with 2 holes in his heart didnt have nightmares his love Cerrie and Alex !!! What really disgusts me is that parents who say that Cerrie isn't fit for the job are the parents who aren't fit to be parents!!! Who are they to judge this nice lady who is a role model to millions of children!!! These parents are narrow-minded idiots who are idiots 'cos they can't explain it to their children!!!! What happens when their children come home from school and say something like "there's a boy in my class whos black and is missing a leg???" or if the parents who complain give birth to a child with disabilities??? whould the parents hide them away or kill them????
the parents who complain are just fools!!!
Plus Cerrie is pretty hot woulnt mind going in bed with her!!!!

- Dan, London, 16/04/2010 15:17
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I've just read through a few websites on this matter and it makes me sick to think people are pushing their small minded views on their children, my 6 month old watches CBeebies and whenever Cerrie comes on she giggles her little head off. I don't see how Cerrie only having 1 arm could scare any child let alone enough for them to have nightmares about it

- Laura, Leeds, West Yorks, 20/02/2010 12:47
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Cerrie Is lovely, her person ality comes across... My 3 yr old daughter loves her. She has asked about her arm, but I like that she can see that not everyone is the same and It teaches her good things like Understanding disabilities, Difference & empathy. I thik that Cerrie is perfect for the job & some people shouldnt be so judgemental.

- Sarah, Tidworth, Hampshire, 08/02/2010 12:41
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Parents' reactions do not reflect the horrifying nature of Cerrie's disability, but their actual narrow-mindedness and ignorance. It's precisely because of such 'horrified' parents that disabled children get 'horrified' stares in public and bullied at school from school children that initially have no problems with such disabilities but with time adopt their parents' idiotic revulsion to anything that they consider as not 'normal' (i.e., having no disabilities at all).
Wake up 'horrified' parents...Hitler was horrified too with disabilities and implemented a "Eugenics" program involving torture, forced abortion and horrible "scientific" experiments in order to physically eliminate disabled people all in the name of normalcy and Darwinism!

- Serge, Hove, 04/02/2010 16:15
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Some parents need to man up and realise this isn't going to harm their cotton wool, bubble wrapped children.

- Michelle Smart, elmpt germany, 26/01/2010 13:29
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There seems to be a lot of people on here saying how they have explained to their children blah blah etc. but I think the point here is that the programs presented during this time slot such as in the night garden are also shown to much younger children, who can't speak or communicate or ask questions about why that lady has her arm missing.

My twin girls watch in the night garden and neither is talking yet, nor would understand if I tried to explain about disabilities etc.

I'm just saying that I can understand some parents of very young children being concerned that their child can't understand what they are seeing ( personally I think Iggle Piggle is a far scarier sight

- John, Worthing, Sussex, 08/12/2009 13:55
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the complaining parents should be ashamed, what are they teaching their children, how would they feel if the presenter was their child???? would they have the same views, proberbly not. Small minded- small life.

- Jane, Eastwood nottm, 30/11/2009 17:30
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my daughter didnt even notice that cerrie had no arm! i have to admit though i was a bit shocked that they would use a presenter with a disability,i just didnt expect it,i kept looking at my daughters face for a reaction at first,but nothing! she only noticed 2 weeks or so down the line,then i explained.but i have to admit i miss Poy and chris, i realy dont think cerrie is a gud presenter,shes not as lively as the rest of the presenters niether is alex,but who am i to judge huh cuz i asked my daughter and she says she loves them both!

- Mrs Patel, bolton,lancashire, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I find it sad to hear that so many parents are upset about having a disabled personality on TV. I think the parents are the ones that are not ready to deal with these issues and not the children. Most children are open minded and willing to understand issues such as disabilities. I grew up with a brother born without both hands so I have a keen understanding of what it's like to be around disabled people. They are human beings too and have needs and aspirations like you and me. They deserve to be treated like everyone else. They have been in hiding for too long! It's time for people to get over their own fears. I commend Cerrie Burnell for being so brave. I hope to see more disabled personalities on TV in the near future.

- Kag, New York, 30/11/2009 16:30
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oh c'mon,that's not scary! i'm eleven and i don't find that in anyway disturbing. she's a very pretty woman.at
remember jeremy beadle? one of his hands was tiny. no-one had anything wrong with that,or steven hawkin,he's always in loads of stuff on television.
what's so scary about people who are sadly disabled?

- Huw, Beguildy,Wales, 30/11/2009 16:30
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There are way more worrying things on childrens TV than a perfectly decent and in no way offensive presenter - like Teletubbies and Night Garden - what a lot of utter rubbish which is in no way educational and which frankly i find much more disturbing! Shame on these parents, I hope my children don't end up ever sitting next to their children at School.

- Nicky, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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"yet a specialised childrens' channel is the only place where disability is publicly seen. Is it BBC policy to place on-screen presenters according to perceived niche audiences and only the young and glamorous are worthy of the widest exposure? No wonder a disable presenter seems so scary.

- Michelle, London"

Michelle, I'm no cheerleader for the BBC, but I refer you to Frank Gardner and Gary O'Donoghue.

- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Camden County, 30/11/2009 16:30
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There are not enough presenters with disabilities on TV if you ask me.

- Adrian, London UK, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Best to take the children away from these parents. A series of proper foster homes will raise them, or kill them, whatever the case may be..

- Trunk, US, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Sorry throught this was 2009 not 1809. What a fuss over nothing, I've watched Carrie most evening with my daughter and she only asked once about her arm I explained, she shrugged, no nightmares well except me having to watch in the night garden now that is scarry.

- Ross Knowles, Liverpool, 30/11/2009 16:30
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This is ridiculous, I feel sorry for the children whose parents are complaining, after all if these children turn out not to be their parents idea of perfection they'll probably be written off. What a horrible reaction to Cerrie, who is a positive role model for people with disabilities.

- Joanne, Middlesex, 30/11/2009 16:30
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That kind of controversy would not jive in Canada. Wouldn't take long for the complainers in question to get a dose of reality.

By the way, I wouldn't mind going on a date with Miss Burnell.

- Dan Cardinal Of Canada, Spanish Mills, Ontario, Canada, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Iam suprised the children of the parents who complained can even see the television through all the cotton wall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Michael Ottley, stanford le hope,essex, 30/11/2009 16:30
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They should find a TV presenter who pregnant then they will know what a difficult conversion is with a 3year old.
And the people who saying the BBC is just being PC When i put my TV on last night i did not see the TV over run with disabled people may the BBC just hired the person for the job.

- Laura, Nottingham UK, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Kids will get used to it - just like they'll get used to some boundaries, if you stick with it. What's wrong with these wet-paper-bag parents nowadays?

- Karli, Tottenham, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I'm going to ask because of these parents complaining about Cerrie will she be sacked and replaced with another with both arms working.

For me if they do they are cowing downing to the unpopular masses here in my view.

I have 2 lads that are disabled but its a hidden one as in when looking they look normal but the looks I get when they kick of is outstanding most likely by the same parents that complained about Cerrie for god sakes its a disability so what does it affect Cerrie here no it doesnt she got a job with the BBC and good on her for that.

I applaud the BBC and Cerrie so if she gets sacked or just vanishes I will not be pleased at all.

Kids dont notice till it is pointed out to them and then as parents we explain as I had to when one of my lads took a meltdown. Once explained she looked "is that all" bless her, but not all are like that sadly.

- Dee, Scotland, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I feel sorry for any children being brought up by parents who are unable to explain to them that not everyone is the same and who have to run complaining to the BBC. Says more about them as small minded bigots than it does about this fab TV presenter.

- Joanna, N.Ireland., 30/11/2009 16:30
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i cannot believe the comments, the world is not perfect, and some children are disabled, are these also to be hidden away from everyone eyes including children. these people should take a good look at themselves, and check if they have any human traits at all, i fear they do not.

- Barry Arnold, Chelsmford Essex , UK., 30/11/2009 16:30
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MY grandson likes Cerrie and likes me talk about people's disablities. I don't know what the ha hu is about.

- Betty Sri, Orpington UK, 30/11/2009 16:30
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My daughters have been part of an inclusive theatre company since the age of 7 and, although able bodied themselves, have mixed with children and adults of all types of abilities. They, and I, cannot believe the ignorant selfish outcry by parents who should be helping their children to be aware that the world is made up of many different types of people from many types of backgrounds. How can we hope to erase prejudices with parenting as narrow minded as this?

- Daniela, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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When I was a child,just after the second world war, the man next door only had one arm.Wasn't a bit scary.I never even noticed it and if I had my mother would have never pandered to any eeby jeeby nonsense from me.

- Betilda, kot uk, 30/11/2009 16:30
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These people are so sick complaining. Do they complain that we have very few white presenters on TV, No, it is all retrospective ,. Children are innocent, and understand quicker than we do. Please get a life

- Jemes, Now living spain, 30/11/2009 16:30
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this makes me soo angry, reading these comments that parents have made about cerrie. i see nothing wrong with her presenting a kids tv show even with the use of one arm. my friend has a 4yr old boy, jake who was born with one arm and hes the sweetest most adorable little boy ive ever met. its the 21st century for christ sake people, who are we to say who can do this and who can do that??!! you should be ashamed, total ignorance.

- Hollie Birch, southampton, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I can't believe in this day & age that there are still so many narrow minded people around! My 2 year old son loves watching CBeebies & didn't even bat an eyelid when Cerrie started presenting on the channel. I don't think we give children enough credit. Any questions raised by them should be answered by the parents in an honest & straight forward manner so that their imaginations don't run away with them & cause them any kind of distress. Having said that, for what it's worth I don't happen to think she's a particularly good presenter & much preferred Chris & Pui!

- Mrs Ward, Solihull, West Midlands, 30/11/2009 16:30
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everyone of those who complained should be ashamed of themselves, they wont be tho os they r small minded uneducated bigoted little individuals. how on earth have those kids been bought up to be scared by someone so boringly different! absolutely pathetic.

- Trace, london, 30/11/2009 16:30
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There is absolutely no doubt that some minority groups are over represented at the BBC, and significantly so.
However, these complaints are quite disturbing. I cannot see how any child would be scared by Miss Burnell's apperance. Curious yes, but frightened, no.
Some of those complainants apparently worry that her disability might spark "difficult discussions", this is something that I find particularly worrying!
As the father of a 14 yr old girl, I can assure you that there will be many discussions that are far more "difficult" than this one!
Perhaps it is time to start aptitude testing prospective parents!
Finally, it would be interesting to know just how many complaints have been made. Is there a groundswell of general ignorance, or is this just a storm in a teacup? I suspect the latter.

- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I agree with Erin, Cerrie is great, my child asked "whats wrong with her arm" and i explained it to her...Simple, if you cant explain to children that everyone is different you shouldnt be a parent.

- Ben, London, UK, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I am absolutely disgusted at some small minded parents attitude.I can not believe in this day and age there are people like that out there. My 5 year old daughter watched it without commenting at all but then i am bringing her up to accept people no matter what way they look.I think its a breath of fresh air that the BBC are willing to give everyone a chance no matter what they like.

- Jane, Fort William,Inverness Shire., 30/11/2009 16:30
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im outraged by this, my son was born with the same disability, should he hide away and be ashamed , hell no, the children love watching her thats the main thing,

I would love to meet all the parents who have a problem with seeing a person with this disability, just lock me in a room with them,

my son is great, and having this disability has made him stronger, how dare people knock anyone with any sort of problem,

you can not imagine how angry i am , she needs a apology , id love to meet her, with my son


from a very angry parent

- Cassie, southampton, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I don't think it's Cerrie that is ultimately the issue here. Having watched CBeebies for a while with my kids it does seem that someone at the BBC is using it as a platform for every PC/liberal notion going and it has started to detract from the normal representative balance that you would expect from Kids TV. This is ultimately the problem with Quota driven programming. The BBC should concentrate on quality output and not social engineering.

- Sandy, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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My little girls loves Cbeebies but her only comments have been aer where are Chris and Poi - the new team are lacking charisma - but thats all. Sorry!

- Louise, Croydon, Surrey, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Scare the children?

The only thing 'scary' about this, is the parents' ignorance.

Probably the same parents who are quite happy to have their pre-school children in front of the television while they are watching The Jeremy Kyle Show later that same morning.

- Steve Mac, Glasgow, Scotland, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Wow and these people are responsible for bringing up children....god help them as if they're any example to go by these kids will be worse than the teenages we have now when the reach that stage.

- Sarah, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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The complainers should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Cerrie was born with one arm and has achieved such a lot and good luck to her. There are many actors and presenters with disability. They deserve equal treatment and recognition.

- Dhanraj, basildon, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Well said Hollie..

These complainers have obviously never had to come out into the real world - Perfectly beautiful people come in all sorts of shape, colour, size and abilities.

- Victoria - Jakes Auntie, SOUTHAMPTON, 30/11/2009 16:30
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That is terrible who could say such a thing about a disabled person ( well actually shes not truely dissabled as she only missing one arm SSSOOOO W H A T!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHO ACTUALLY CARES IF SHES MISSING HALF AN ARM OR WETHER THE PERSON IS BLACK BLUE PINK ETC......
I THINK ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A RIGHT TO BE A PRESENTER!!!!!!!!!

- Miss Shelly Hawkins, Southampton, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Everyone is entitled to their views, but Xenophobes should really keep it for themselves!
Were this people ready when their children came back from school asking why other children had a different skin color?
None of my children have had any nightmare or even asked me about it as they are used to diversity.
I believe it is our duty as a parents to prepare our children for the world.

- Bruno, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I agree with Erin, my daughter watches Cbeebies and CBBC regularly and she has asked as to what happened to the presenters arm, this led to a discussion on how people are different from each other and that people with disabilities can do as well or even better than others.
I would also imagine that most of the people complaining forget that one of their kids most popular US programs (Barney the dinosour) featured a girl with a similiar disability and no one felt it neccesary to comment on that.

- Rob, Newton Blossomville, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Bald people are much more scary. Can't they be made to wear hats? Leave the lady alone.

- John, Wapping, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Children are born without racist, sexist or other forms of discrimination in their mind. Therefore, what can they be scared of?

The question should be...is she any good at her job?

- Julian, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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What is the matter with these people? I thought the days of wanting to keep anyone different locked away from public view were long gone!

My daughter hasn't noticed, but surely if she did, it would be a good opportunity to talk about differences and not letting things stand in your way.

Heaven help the children of these people if they have accidents and lose limbs, their parents will have them institutionalised for public protection in no time!

- Elaine Edmondson, Eastbourne, UK, 30/11/2009 16:30
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My son goes to nursery with a boy who had both legs amputated soon after birth. When asked if had noticed anything different about him he answered "he is very funny". When pressed about if he had noticed his legs, he brushed it off stating that "he had to have them taken off and now he has special legs". No affect - No nightmares - simple acceptance.

There is nothing you can do for some narrow minded and bigotted people. They will always believe that people who are not like them are to be feared. That will result in their children being frightened and aggresve towards others. Perhaps in a few hundred generations time, natural selection will have limited their ability to breed and we will be left only with the enlightened and accepting.

- Jon, london,England, 30/11/2009 16:30
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My six-year old hasn't batted an eyelid. Kids (and parents, come to that) need to realise that the real world is full of all sorts of people, abled and disabed, all doing worthwhile jobs, whatver their physical capacity.

- Mike Hadley, Swanage, Dorset, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I understand why some people are concerned that quota-filling is at play but to state that this woman is frightening is crass and unintelligent.

- Rachel, Glamorgan, 30/11/2009 16:30
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should we not be teaching our children to long beyond peoples disabillities and look at the person...My grandaughter loves watching Cerrie .I think if u teach children about this at a young age ,it will help them in later life...

- Diane Taylor., manchester lancs, 30/11/2009 16:30
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There is an ambiguity at play here, whereby newsreaders are increasingly of a particular female age and type, with older and models being ruthlessly pensioned off; announcers accents are invariably and bizarrely regional, yet a specialised childrens' channel is the only place where disability is publicly seen. Is it BBC policy to place on-screen presenters according to perceived niche audiences and only the young and glamorous are worthy of the widest exposure? No wonder a disable presenter seems so scary.

- Michelle, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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God forbid any of these parents should have a disabled child. And if they do - and that child wants a career in Broadcasting - I'll bet they'd change their small minded ideas then.

She's a lovely presenter - and if children ask their parents 'difficult' questions - well what a great opportunity to talk to your children about disability .

- Julie, Cardiff, 30/11/2009 16:30
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My kids think she's great. So far the six yr old has only ever said "look she lost a bit of her arm". We had a chat about it. never been mentioned since. Can't see what the problem is.

- Kay Northfield, United Kingdom, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Children are born without prejudice and it is the parents who give them their views on life.

I hope they never suffer a disability in their life as I wonder how they would expect to be treated by other people?

This is people just talking rubbish in a pathetic attempt to create controversy where it does not exist.

- Antony, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I find it offensive that parents are demonstrating and ultimitely imposing their prejudices onto their children. If your child asks question then take the opportunity to explain the differences between people and there is nothing to fear. Having a presenter like Cerries presents the thousands of children born each years with major and minor birth defects a positive role model.

A side note to the comment:

"The BBC should concentrate on quality output and not social engineering."

Remember the BBC's charter is:

"To enrich people's lives with programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain."

- Nathan, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I am disgusted at this report about Cerrie, these Parents are Ignorant and just overall Pathetic.

My two children watch Cbeebies and absoulutely love it. I would not let them watch anything else on TV. With Cbeebies you get Fun, Safe and reality because lets face it we dont all look the same.

I can feel good knowing that my children are going to see Presenters and the childrens Programmes which teach them about diversity, beliefs and morals, education and above all something so funny and entertaining.

We strive to teach our kids all these things (well obviously not the parents who complained) So is it not reassuring that with all the awful media out there we have Cebeebies to back up our teaching.

My daughter asked me about Cerries arm and i was glad that she is open to understand the world be open and learn about acceptence of things she may not have come accross before.

so to those awful, Pitiful Parents with those children who i feel really sorry for......I think its time to open your front door and face up to REALITY

- Rachael, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I fear for these kids and their parents as they grow up and move into real world life if they feel somebody on TV (so somebody they are watching...not even with contact in) with a part of an arm missing is "scary"

- Mark, Watford, 30/11/2009 16:30
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i wonder what these parents do when the paralympics are on TV??

And well said Andy

- Eyekon, london, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Parents like these small-minded idiots shouldn't be allowed to raise children.

- Antony, Wellington, New Zealand, 30/11/2009 16:30
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i think its ridiculous these people complaining.

Whether or not she has her limbs or not does not alter the fac tthat she does a good job.

i would rather my children just asked me when they saw her (they havent even noticed anyway!) rather than pointing at someone in the street!

I think these people have nothing better to do than find somehting to complain about.

did they complain when we had different race people on? no, so what difference does it make!!

idiots

- Lisa Shaw, marske, cleveland, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Whitney Houston sung about 'The Greatest Love of All.' There's a line in it which says 'The children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.'
When children are introduced to disability at an early stage they just accept it without reservation or prejudice. It is only as they get older that they can start to adopt the attitudes of their peers and consequently the world becomes a nastier place.
Of course children are going to ask questions and if provided with an even-sided answer will only benefit from this.

- Simon Limbrick, Gloucester, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I'm amazed at the ignorance and stupidity of some parents. What a poor example for their children.

- Denise, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I've never heard such rubbish in my life. Children are so adaptive and accepting - they are also incredibly inquisitive. It would take a couple of minutes to give an explanation to the children and they will move on to their next enquiry. If they are having nightmares (which I doubt) it is because their parents are poisoning their minds about disability.

If parents can't cope with a relatively minor disability (and that is not to demean Ms Burnell's injuries in any way just to acknowledge that there more severe disabilities that the children will come across) then THEY clearly have problems. How do they or their precious children cope when they see a person in a wheelchair in the street? How will they cope if there is a disabled child in their child's school.

This is not political correctness this is life.

- Andy, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Fools is the only word to describe the complainers,FOOLS.

- Kev, London-UK, 30/11/2009 16:30
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You realise their views wouldn't even see the light of day if they were saying the kids were frightened of a black presenter?

- M Farbiash, Highgate, 30/11/2009 16:30
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So what do these ignorant bigot parents do when they encounter a disabled person in their street/town/city.
Cover their childrens faces to stop them seeing ? Run to the council to complain and ask for them to be taken off the streets ?
The only "scary" thing about this is.....It's scary to know there are ignorant parents like this bringing up children today.

- Macca Woods, Manchester UK, 30/11/2009 16:30
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I don't think Miss Burnell will scare my two year old son, and I would prefer him to grow up without thinking that people with disablities were a curiosity. This kind of notion is best deterred in childhood.
However, I agree with the comment that too much of CBeebies is disproportionate, and if you were using CBeebies as a reference for the UK population, we are seriously lacking in white females!

- SMB, London,UK, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Ridiculous...have these people got nothing better to do with their time? I think it's very important that children are exposed to the 'real-life' and unfortunately a reality of life is that we are not all the same and some do have disabilities. Shielding children from people who themselves may have a disability will only have an adverse affect on them later on in life. So what explanation did these parents give there children when the Paralympic Games was televised?

- Alan, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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,What would they do if a child at there school was disabled in the same way take theres out.Good on cbbc for hireing the lady!People died in wars to stop people like them moaning at the inflicted.We should all stand up for her to keep her job.keep doing a great show cerrie.

- Mr Chris Ainsworth, chichester, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Cerrie Burnell is absolutely lovely and I am quite upset that people would feel it appropriate or necessary to make such hurtful comments.

The diversity of the cbeebies presenters is refreshing and goes a long way toward ensuring children don't grow up with the (learned) attitude that "different" = bad.

My three year old loves bedtime hour and we watch it regularly. He has made no mention of her difference and certainly it would not be more than a curiosity to him if he were to mention it.

- Erin, Waterlooville, Hampshire, 30/11/2009 16:30
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what is worng with england?you spend so long looking your noses down at other countries yet this is the most backwards of them all.the looks my wife used to get when she was in a wheelchair and used to hold our son in public.

- John Ferriter, coventry, 30/11/2009 16:30
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These idiots are just using their children to hide behind their own inadequacies and lack of social awareness.

- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Camden County, 30/11/2009 16:30
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So according to these uneducated parents we should lock away all those with some kind of physical disability or defect? How every enlightening of them, presumably they would like to make sure the streets are cleared of people using wheelchairs, sticks, canes when they take their wee ones out for a walk or shopping. Is it just obvious disabilities they are objecting to or, will they like to include the deaf and blind, and that I guess would mean that we dont need subtitles. And if a child is to be scared by someone with one arm and they are so different, maybe they would like to remove all ethinic minority people from our screens just in case seeing a black person scares them!

I dispair of some parents, surely they have more important things to worry?

- Kerry Newton, innellan, 30/11/2009 16:30
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Pathetic, these people need to wake up. Seeing a disabled person will give my child nightmares? Not if you explain it to them! I went to a Primary School that incorporated a unit for disabled children. I didn't have nightmares, If anything it taught us the important lesson of not judging people solely by their appearance.

We as children were enriched by the experience, it gave us a better appreciation for the needs and abilities of those that some struggle to engage with.

It's all about adult embarrassment, if you're neither willing nor able to address your child's concerns then I'm not sure you're really fit to be a parent.

- Jonathan, London, 30/11/2009 16:30
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