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Kiddie TV Show's One-Armed Host Stirring Debate in UK
February 28, 2009 1:06 p.m. EST
Melvin Baker - AHN Reporter
London (AHN) - The host of a children's television show has stirred extensive debate here over the place of the disabled in British society.
Cerrie Burnell became a co-host of "CBeebies" on BBC Television in January. The 29-year-old actress was born with one arm and makes no attempt to conceal it, a fact that has alarmed some parents, who say Burnell's disability scares their children.
One father wrote on the show's message board that he was considering making the show off limits to his daughter out of fear that she would have nightmares.
Another parent wrote that their child was "freaked out" by Burnell's appearance, while another said that the actress was only hired out of political correctness.
The BBC reported that it had received nine "formal" complaints. However, the show's website has been deluged by comments from dozens of viewers expressing support for the host. One parent wrote: "I think children who have a disability will feel empowered by her and her presence will help all children of this generation to accept difference hopefully, because children are not born with prejudiced views."
Another supporter said her daughter had the same disability and felt that Burnell "is a role model for all children with disabilities."
Michael Carrington, the show's controller, responded in a statement posted to the CBeebies website to criticism that Burnell had been hired solely on the basis of her disability."I'd also like to say that Cerrie was chosen because she is the best person for the job. Aside from being an accomplished actor, I believe she is a brilliant presenter with natural flair and talent. I'm very proud to have her as part of our family of CBeebies presenters."
Burnell seemed unfazed by the controversy. In an interview published Saturday in the Daily Telegraph, she said "People assume there is a sadness attached to a disability like this. But to me, there is no sadness. If I had to change anything about myself, it wouldn't be this. It would be to make my hair blonder so I didn't have to keep paying for highlights."
Burnell was born with no right arm below the elbow. She was fitted for a prosthetic arm as a child, but stopped wearing it in elementary school.
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