The censors who say Mary Poppins is too offensive for kids to watch alone: A former BBC star, a political journalist turned MP and the man who pioneered computer racing games are among the seven bosses behind classic’s new PG rating
The administration that governed Mary Poppins is too offensive for children to watch without parents. It has been revealed as a former BBC star, political journalist turned MP and a pioneer of computer racing games.
Today it emerged that Mary Poppins has had its age rating raised from U to PG because it contains ‘discriminatory language’.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) now deems the 1964 story of Julie Andrews’ magical nanny unsuitable for children to watch alone, despite the film enchanting generations of young people.
It says that the reclassification is due to the use of the word Hottentots. The dated term was historically used by Europeans to refer to the Khoekhoe, a group of nomadic herders in South Africa, but is now considered racially offensive.
And the decision was made by the BBFC, who say they are helping families ‘choose well’ by offering advice on what is good for them and ‘what isn’t’.
The seven members of the BBFC are currently Natasha Kaplinsky, Murphy Cobbing, Lord Patel of Bradford, David Austin, Gloria De Piero, Darren Jobling and John Stanley.
Mary Poppins has had its age rating raised from U to PG because it contains “discriminatory language.”
Natasha Kaplinsky (left) is the president of the BBFC and Murphy Cobbing (right) is a vice president
Natasha Kaplinsky OBE is the Chairman of the BBFC and the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The former TV broadcaster appeared on the 6 o’clock news, BBC Breakfast ITN, and presented the main evening news on Channel 5.
Murphy Cobbing is vice-president and board director, but was previously a BBC news and documentary producer for 20 years.
She has also worked for TV production company Liberty Bell and the Newcastle Chronicle.
Until recently she was a trustee and vice-chairman of the Tyneside Cinema.
Lord Patel of Bradford OBE is also vice president and board director.
He is also a qualified social worker and was appointed Chair of Social Work England, the regulator for all child, family and adult social workers, in March 2018.
The BBFC website says: ‘He was previously a Senior Independent Director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Chairman of the Mental Health Act Commission, and a Commissioner of the Healthcare Commission and the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse.’
Lord Patel of Bradford (left) is also Vice President and David Austin (right) is Chief Executive
Gloria De Piero and Darren Jobling are both independent directors
David Austin is the Chief Executive and is responsible for making executive decisions on behalf of the Classification Board, ensuring policy implementation, managing the BBFC and handling external relations.
He has been with the BBFC since 2003, when he started as an examiner. He later became Deputy Director of Policy and Public Affairs in 2011, followed by Chief Executive in 2016.
Other relevant experience he has includes his role as a member of the board of directors of the Cinema Advertising Association (CAA).
Gloria De Piero is an independent director at the BBFC after a 15-year career as a political journalist, working for the BBC and then GMTV.
She was elected Labor MP for Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, in 2010 but did not stand for re-election in 2019.
Darren Jobling is an independent director of BBFC.
But his previous career was in the games industry, where he pioneered the creation of racing simulations for Electronic Arts, Activision and Take Two.
In 2014, he launched the start-up ZeroLight for which he leads a team that creates digital marketing platforms for VW, Mitsubishi, Lucid Motors and BRP.
John Stanley is also an independent director on the board of directors
John Stanley is also an independent director on the board of directors.
But he has more than 35 years of experience with transactional, physical and digital media in film, TV, games and music.
He spent 15 years at Warner Bros, leading the Home Entertainment division in Britain, Ireland, Spain and Scandinavia.
John also served as chairman of the Home Entertainment Industry Council for three years and is an industry expert on international and US film and games activities.
He also has a history with 20th Century Fox in senior sales, marketing and managing director roles.
But his career began in commercial roles in the music industry, working for both CBS Records and Polygram Music.
According to the BBFC guidelines on PG content, ‘some scenes may be unsuitable for young children’.
They add that while children of any age can watch, parents are advised to consider whether the content may irritate ‘younger or more sensitive children’.
The BBFC looked at the historical context β the film is set in early 20th century London β but the failure to condemn the language means it now exceeds the guidelines for a U-film.
The BBFC said: ‘From our research into racism and discrimination we understand that a key concern for… parents is the potential for exposing children to discriminatory language or behavior that they may find distressing or repeat without being aware of the possible violation.’
It added: ‘Content with immediate and clear condemnation is likely to receive a lower rating.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBFC for further comment.