Cerrie Burnell: what’s the problem?

Posted on 1st March, 2009 by

In the Shade of the Veil: What’s the problem here?

Last week, there was a huge controversy over the use of a presenter with one hand missing on a children’s TV channel run by the BBC. The objections were found on the BBC’s forum, among the complaints being that she would scare the children and that she was only there for political correctness reasons. To their credit, the BBC has stood its ground on this issue, but the last I heard, they actually have no obligation to do so: discrimination laws, particularly as regards disability, don’t apply to roles such as actors and presenters, and it is very common for able-bodied actors to be cast as disabled characters when there are plenty of disabled actors looking for work. Discrimination laws don’t apply to roles like these, and not that long ago, the BBC would have backtracked very quickly, not that I can remember them using a disabled presenter in my lifetime.

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  • Thersites

    A small but widely reported controversy, actually. I would also think that it was actually an even smaller controversy than it seemed in that many of the people who objected would not have objected if they’d had a few minutes thought before posting and probably wish they’d waited. As for the “political correctness” complaint, one of the B.B.C.’s functions is to educate as well as entertain and knowing of disability and difference comes under that aspect. I don’t often watch T.V., but I think you’re mistaken when you say “not that I can remember them using a disabled presenter in my lifetime”. I remember seeing some in wheelchairs and there have certainly been presenters with artificial limbs. An example of a disabled actor with a long and successful career was Esmond Knight, who lost most of his eyesight in WWII and carried on for many years afterwards on stage, films and broadcasting. However, he trained and had been a successful actor before he became disabled so had an advantage. As a matter of interest, what would be the position of a muslim woman who wore hijab on such a programme? Presumably she could show her face to children, the programme’s intended audience, but as the programme would actually be accessible to anyone, would that fact stop her being allowed to do so?

  • Chris

    How great is it that children will be able to see a positive role model like Ms. Burnell! Commercial TV needs more people of her caliber, talent and with her personality. How gracious of her to share her ABILITY with the children and with us. So some people have had to have honest discussions about the differences in society and reality - how is this a bad thing?

  • anon

    I think society is so into appearance nowadays, people only want to see that which is perfect

  • http://www.cityswift.com CitySwift

    I think that it is shocking the way she has been treated by the BBC. The East Sussex Disability Association support her and are running a forum to rally support: Have your say on the recent press coverage about CBBC presenter Cerrie burnell.