TikTok trolls produce fake videos to target CBeebies characters Mr Tumble

Children’s favourite Mr Tumble has become the latest victim of the ‘cancel culture’ phenomenon after being accused of racism over his catchphrase: ‘Hello monkey.’

Critics on social media are calling for the long-serving CBeebies character to be axed, with much of the vitriol fuelled by a clearly doctored video in which Mr Tumble’s voice has been edited to appear as if he is saying ‘Hello monkey’ to a young, black, disabled girl.

The clown, played by actor and presenter Justin Fletcher, has used images and footage of monkeys in his shows for years, as well as mimicking their noises and behaviour.

Several people online described Mr Tumble as racist because of his ‘hello monkey’ greeting

He regularly greets children with: ‘Hello monkey!’

But the fake video has been viewed more than two million times on YouTube and TikTok, prompting tens of thousands of negative comments, including one that says ‘Proof Mr Tumble is racist’ and another reading ‘Mr Tumble is cancelled’.

Referring to the character’s programmes, another comment says: ‘Isn’t this show supposed to teach about not being racist, wtf.’

Last night, the BBC said it was ‘incredibly disappointing’ that social media users are targeting Mr Tumble, particularly given that his Something Special show is inclusive and uses Makaton sign language so deaf children can enjoy it. 

Mr Tumble regularly greets children with: ‘Hello monkey!’

The fake clip was first posted last August but over the past fortnight has become one of the…