Just how racy are your kids’ TV shows? From sausage innuendos to drugs & the character who got a job… at a sex hotline

WATCHING TV with children can be – dare we say it – a bit boring. As much as we try to get the little scamps into proper telly like Corrie and Strictly, they are always drawn back to the antics of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po. Makka Pakka from In The Night Garden blows his signature orange trumpet Credit: BBC The creator of the Magic Roundabout denied any suggestions that the show story lines were linked to drug taking Credit: Alamy So it comes as little surprise that cheeky scriptwriters throw in a few laughs for exhausted parents. And they often revolve around sex and drugs. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! Last week we revealed how kids’ favourite Rainbow was not as squeaky clean as it seemed. One episode from the Seventies show, was filmed as a joke for Thames Television staff, but was accidentally seen by the public after it was released on the internet, consistently referred to “playing with twangers”, “plucking” and “bouncing balls”. Now we share some of the most inappropriate moments from kids’ TV shows. And let’s just say you won’t look at Fireman Sam in the same way again… The Magic Roundabout The Magic Roundabout’s Dougal could never stop at just one sugar cube Credit: Alamy First aired on the BBC in 1965, The Magic Roundabout followed the adventures of pooch Dougal and his pals in a magical garden. However, it seems Dougal really embraced the swinging Sixties. Sadly, he had an addiction… to sugar cubes. In one episode he said: “It starts with some sweets… and then you’re on two bags a day.” He also attended a party where he chatted with a banana but couldn’t remember it at all the next day. Most read in Showbiz His mates weren’t immune either. Dylan the rabbit played the guitar and snoozed a lot, while Ermintrude the cow was seen to chew on a flower which looked like an opiate poppy. The programme was based on the French show Le Manège Enchanté. Its creator Serge Danot refuted any claims it was linked to drugs, with his widow Martine adding: “Maybe that’s the way you saw it in Britain, but I can assure you that here in France nobody thinks or thought that.” Maybe us Brits are just a bit more cynicial… Pee-wee’s Playhouse Miss Yvonne from Peewee’s Puppethouse embraced riding a mechanical horse with gusto Credit: Unknown Wacky Pee-wee Herman lived in a gadget-filled playhouse in Puppetland. It first aired in 1986 and was billed as an educational and entertaining show for children. But one episode left some parents’ mouths agape. Miss Yvonne, played by the late Lynne Marie Stewart, went on a horse and really enjoyed it, making some very enthusiastic sounds. Then, hopping off, she was out of breath and her hair was askew. Well, riding can be strenuous… Rocko’s Modern Life Rocco from Rocco’s Modern Life got a new job as a ‘speciality phone operator’ Credit: Unknown Rocko’s Modern Life, which ran on Nickelodeon in the Nineties, was officially marketed as a children’s show. But it was famously packed with double entendres and subversive satire which flew over kids’ heads. In one episode Rocko became a “specialty phone operator”. “I could do that,” he says, happy to see a position advertised. But at work you see his job description: “Remember: Be hot; be naughty; be courteous.” And Rocko, speaking down the line? “Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby.” He also watched a very unusually titled film: “Night of the Shaved Kittens.” We’re saying nothing. Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom Ben and Holly is a kids’ favourite – but the parents are more interested in the sexual tension Credit: youtube The Brit TV show aimed at pre-schoolers, which ran from 2011 to 2013 and had 100 episodes, is based in Little Kingdom. A miniature kingdom, hidden among bushes and involving fairies and elves, it sounds perfect for tots. But Mumsnetters swear there is deep sexual tension simmering beneath the surface and have said the main characters just need to get it on. Some even admit to watching it without their kids, it’s so addictive. One person wrote: “Fairies and elves. After all, opposites attract. Although he’s a doctor, teacher, academic, Nanny Plum is much wittier and fun-loving for him.” Another added: “The Wise Old Elf needs his own post-watershed spin-off show.” In The Night Garden In the Night Garden is one of the most popular kids’ TV shows of all time Credit: BBC GQ magazine reviewed this kids’ TV favourite from the BBC and pulled absolutely no punches, diagnosing each and every character with a condition. It queried why Makka Pakka was constantly cleaning everything and stacking stones into neat piles and wondered about Upsy Daisy’s “constant needy gropes for attention”. Other newspapers suggested it gave a “heroin feeling” – something Mumsnet users agree with. “No one should watch it,” joked one commenter. “It promotes drug use.” There were also concerns – unverified – that the characters’ beloved “Pinky Ponk” juice might be stronger than expected. In one episode Tombliboo Ooo greedily drank everyone’s, got a tummy ache, could barely stand, had to sound an alarm and go to bed. Meanwhile, Makka Pakka loves “blowing his trumpet into Upsy Daisy’s giant microphone”. Its genius creator Andrew Davenport has told how he wanted to create a world to engage young children, adding to The Sun’s sister paper, News.com.au: “No, I was definitely not (on drugs).” Peppa Pig Mummy Pig asks daughter Peppa the password to her treehouse Credit: Unknown Only for Peppa to fat-shame her dad Credit: Unknown Peppa Pig’s character is savage. She shamelessly dissed her father’s weight on multiple occasions, creating a treehouse password of “Daddy’s Big Tummy” and reminding him on his birthday he was old. But it wasn’t just her dad that faced her wrath. She also hung up on her best friend, Suzy, because she could whistle and then accused her of cheating because she lost two card games against her. Meanwhile, Miss Rabbit – who has worked as a teacher, taxi driver, firefighter, helicopter pilot, receptionist, supermarket cashier and gift shop owner (plus much, much more) – has been seen by many as satirising a workaholic job culture. “Just watching the episode where they list all of her various jobs… wow!” said one poster. “I hope she’s getting National Minimum Wage for those.” There were even unverified claims she was fiddling the books. Asked one person: “Peppa Pig land couldn’t keep going without her. Can she drive the school bus as well?” OfficialPeppa on Instagram even leaned into it when they announced she was going on hiatus… because she had fainted. “Miss Rabbit is officially on hiatus,” they said as part of an April Fool’s Day joke this year. “After handling every job in town, she’s finally taking a well-deserved break and entering her rest and recharge. No jobs, more spa breaks. Discovering what ‘time off’ feels like.” Fireman Sam Fireman Sam and local Pontypandy shopkeeper DilysCredit: Refer to Source It’s a sad state of affairs when even Fireman Sam isn’t immune from smut. But, alas, in a hilarious episode of the series which ran from 1987 to 1994 Sam appears to make rather a scandalous offer to Dilys Price, owner of the local grocery store in Pontypandy. “Oh Dilys, I bet you can’t wait to have some of my hot sausages,” the smooth talker says. Parents admitted the innuendos were the only way they could carry on watching the show without pulling their hair out. Meanwhile children, just happy to watch the antics of Sam and his famous hose, were none the wiser… Comment now