The BBC has made changes to its Christmas adaptation of the beloved children’s tale, The Scarecrows’ Wedding, over concerns that it might promote cigar smoking.
In Julia Donaldson’s original narrative, the plot revolves around a villain named Reginald, who inadvertently ignites a fire after lighting a cigar.
In the story, Reginald, the nefarious scarecrow, tries to win over Betty O’Barley, who firmly responds, “Smoking is bad for you!”
However, in the BBC One adaptation, this scene has been altered. Instead of lighting a cigar, Reginald, voiced by Rob Brydon, is shown toasting marshmallows with a lit match.
Julia Donaldson expressed her disappointment over the changes, revealing that the production company, Magic Light Pictures, informed her that Ofcom regulations do not permit smoking in children’s programming without substantial editorial justification.
The broadcasting regulator restricts content that might be seen as endorsing or glamorizing smoking, as well as illegal drugs and alcohol. Donaldson maintained that her book did not promote any such behavior.
Speaking at the adaptation’s early screening, Ms Donaldson said: ‘In the book, the fire is started by Reginald Rake through smoking. And I thought that was really good – it shows Reginald Rake in a really bad light because he’s a baddie.
‘Betty in the original book says, “Smoking is bad for you!” and he gets a terrible cough, he starts a fire, so it really shows how bad smoking is.
The BBC One adaption has now been replaced with a scene in which Reginald, voiced by Rob Brydon, instead toasts marshmallows using a lighted match rather than a cigar
Ms Donaldson has said she is disappointed her original story was changed as ‘apparently, in the world of children’s film, you’re not allowed to show anyone smoking’
‘But apparently, in the world of children’s film, you’re not allowed to show anyone smoking.’
The author said she would have thought it would be better for children to come across smoking in the context of a film or a book so it can open the doors for parents to point out the dangers.
The book’s illustrator, Axel Scheffler, joked: ‘I’m now waiting on Boxing Day for thousands and thousands of children in the UK starting fires by roasting marshmallows.’
Ms Donaldson described being initially hesitant about rewriting her classic story for a film adaptation.
However, she went home and thought about it before heading ‘straight to the computer’ where she reimagined her characters for TV.
‘I thought they could start the fire by cooking something. Then I thought, marshmallows are pink and white. So I wrote something.
‘And I think it works really well like that. I’m sorry, in a way, to lose the smoking but marshmallows do well.’
In the book, Reginald Rake says: ‘I must be the cleverest scarecrow alive / I can sing lots of songs. I can dance, I can drive! / I’m dashing! I’m daring! I’m cool as can be! / I can even blow smoke rings – just watch me and see!’.
The text continues: ‘And he took out a big fat cigar from a packet / The farmer had foolishly left in his jacket / But smoking is bad for you! Betty exclaimed / Really you ought to be feeling ashamed’.
The new lines in the TV adaptation say: ‘I must be the cleverest scarecrow alive / I can sing lots of songs. I can dance, I can drive! / If you don’t fancy dancing then let’s have a feast / I’m an excellent chef, I have three stars at least.
‘He delved in his pocket and pulled out a packet / As pink as your dress and as white as my jacket / The finest marshmallows and make no mistake / No one can toast them like Reginald Rake’.
He then attempts to set alight a pile of twigs to toast the marshmallows, taken from the farmer’s pocket, but – like in the original – the field of wheat catches fire.
Ofcom’s code states: ‘Programme makers should always consider the impact that the representation of the use of illegal drugs, the abuse of drugs, smoking, solvent abuse and the misuse of alcohol, may have on younger viewers and listeners. Such inclusion pre-watershed or at times when children are particularly likely to be listening must therefore be editorially justified.’
Following publication of the children story’s in 2014, there were some complaints from parents about the smoking scene.
A few took to Mumsnet, branding the discussion, ‘disgusting’ and ‘inappropriate’.
One mother said: ‘Now my three-year-old is asking for Cigars.’
Scholastic, the book’s publisher, said at the time: ‘We would absolutely agree that smoking should not be shown as a normal, sensible activity in a children’s book. However, we feel that, in this case, the book really does show smoking in a completely negative light.’
This year will mark the 13th adaptation of Ms Donaldson’s books – now a staple fixture of the BBC One Christmas Day schedule.
