Night Garden Becomes Day Garden

Not suitable for children

On the face of it, a small furry doll from a magical secret world seems an unlikely subject for a row about racism. Yet the BBC has found itself under fire about the colour of Upsy Daisy, central character in the children's programme In The Night Garden.

Parents have complained that while she has dark skin on screen, an Upsy Daisy doll on sale in toy shops at upwards of £28.95 is much whiter. The BBC has denied any sinister motive, but yesterday it revealed that the doll was to be withdrawn in favour of a new version more faithful to Upsy Daisy's on-screen hue.

This appears pretty indefensible. I can't imagine any possible reason why the manufacturers would do this except out of the assumption that people won't want to by a "rasta" doll. One might say shame on them, but one could also say: that's business.