BBC rewrites childrens classic to make character names less rude – changing Titty to Tatty
Screenwriter alters name amid fears it could make kids think of online PORN
BBC screenwriters have changed the name of a popular children's book character from TITTY to TATTY out of fears it could make children think of PORN.
Andrea Gibb, who is adapting the novel Swallows and Amazons for the big screen, says the name had to be changed because it "means something different now" in the "internet age".
Ms Gibb said: "There’s been some consternation about the fact we changed Titty’s name to Tatty.
"We didn’t do this lightly but we think the reasons are obvious. Language evolves and the word means something different now.
"We also felt we had a duty to our young audience in this internet age.
"However, there was no edict, no “politically correct” diktat from on high.
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"We, the film-makers, had long and careful discussions, in consultation with the Arthur Ransome Trust, and came to a consensus to change it."
Swallows and Amazons is set in the 1930s and follows four children who go on an adventure to an island while holidaying in the Lake District.
Ms Gibb has admitted that for older viewers the novel represents an innocent time when "children's imaginations played as big a part in their play as computer games do now",
The film is due for release tomorrow and has been produced by BBC Films Harbour Pictures.
The character Tatty is played by pop star Lily Allen's younger sister Teddie-Rose Malleson-Allen.
Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said the name-change represents giving in to political correctness.
He said: "It is surrendering to preconceptions about how children think.
"If there is a problem with how children think they need to deal with the problem not sort of adjust things. I think they should respect the integrity of the book and keep the original name in my view.
"It’s basically giving up and saying “we can’t cope with this so we’re going to change the name.
"It’s a surrender to political correctness.
"Children who see the name and realise they’ve changed the name might create more problems."
Ms Gibb added that she felt the characters needed updating and the name-change isn't the only alteration she has made to the novel.
She added: "Our children may bicker more and more flawed than the originals but the emotional strength of their bonds is as strong as in the book."
Swallows and Amazons tells the story of the Walker family while the father is away on business in the Far East.
When they set off on a solo expedition in the Lake District they push their mum to write to him to get permission.
The father encourages them to go on the adventure with the memorable line: "Better drowned than duffers. If not duffers won't drown".
Ms Gibb hopes the story will encourage parents to allow their kids more freedom and said: "Maybe the leash can be a little longer at times."
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