We would imagine that viewers of The One Show tune in to for some light-hearted entertainment of an evening – which is why so many were today surprised to hear the show’s producers being accused of ‘cruelty’.
A segment on Thursday’s show featuring a competitive ‘baby race’ left viewers shocked and upset, with many turning to social media to make their feelings known.
The segment was devised to tie in with the Euro 2016 competition, with special guest Holly Willoughby also featuring.
Coming up: The One Show baby race! https://t.co/MUjj13Hii2
— BBC The One Show (@BBCTheOneShow) June 23, 2016
Viewers watched as a group of babies were brought out, each one dressed in a different football kit, then ‘pitted’ against each other to get to their parents at the other end of the race lanes.
While one of the children was just too confused to make it past the start line, a fellow ‘competitor’ was clearly overwhelmed and upset by the task and began to cry.
Disturbed viewers took to Twitter to slam the show’s producers and presenters, Matt Baker and Alex Jones, for what they branded ‘abusive’ content.
“The One Show baby race is horrible. They’re crying and screaming. This isn’t entertainment, it’s just cruel,” tweeted one viewer.
Another, meanwhile, added: “How are The One Show thinking a baby race is an okay thing to do? These babies are fully screaming.”
#TheOneShow what on earth were you thinking? Baby race or distressed babies!
— Diane Bantten (@acquitdr) June 23, 2016
#TheOneShow the most disturbing television I've seen since Syd Little's boxing match with a kangaroo. #babyracing
— Clive Stringer (@Clive_Stringer) June 23, 2016
#TheOneShow absolutely disguisting what you did.You might have seen it as fun but those babies did not look like they were. Disgraceful!
— Carla Ann James (@CarlaAnnJames) June 23, 2016
In the wake of the backlash, a representative from The One Show brushed off criticism, saying: “This was a light-hearted item where four babies crawled for two metres towards their parents who greeted them with a big cuddle.”
What’s your verdict? Do you agree with the viewers, or do you think it’s a storm in a teacup?