Throng

The BBC has spoken out to defend disabled CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell, after some parents complained that she was "scaring" their children.

CBeebies programme controller Michael Carrington described Cerrie as "warm and natural", adding that her disability should not be an issue. Cerrie was born with one arm, but has been able to pursue a television and teaching assistant career.

"She was appointed because she was the best person for the job. We see no reason for her to try to hide her disability and are surprised that in 2009 this should even be raised as an issue," said a BBC spokesperson.

Cerrie revealed that she hopes her disability can be used to raise awareness. "It can only be a good thing that parents are using me as a chance to talk disability with their children," she said.

"It just goes to show how important it is to have positive disabled role models on CBeebies and television in general."

Nine official complaints have been made to the BBC about Cerrie Burnell, but internet message boards have been flooded with other comments about the host.

One parent said: “My daughter is only two and notices her arm. She thinks she is hurt every day.”

Some commented about how she gave their children nightmares, while others complained they had been forced to discuss illness and disability at what they considered to be too-early an age. Some posts made on the CBeebies message boards were inappropriate and were removed by moderators. Posters also accused the BBC of hiring 29-year-old Cerrie because of "political correctness" to meet disability employment quotas.