We've previously heard tales claiming factoids such as that as the less-than-innocent Bratz kiddies dolls have foul-sounding mouths. It now turns out even the audio-free world of sign language is being used to transmit awful words into the minds of our innocent kiddie generation.

The controversial children's programme of the moment is Something Special, a show featuring Mr Tumble who educates and informs the youngsters by using sign language to translate his speech as he goes around doing the sort of weird stuff these kiddy characters do. All good clean fun - the only problem is the way he joyously greets his audience. The programme makers claim his hand-rubbing hello translates to "I'm happy to see you".

Jamie Miller, who works for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, disagrees.

He reckons Mr Tumble instead greets his 5 year old protégés with the phrase "I'm f****** you" - minus the stars. Oopsy. Miller complained to the BBC multiple times about such outrageous goings-ons but they claim no mistake has been made.

Apparently the signs are very similar:

In British Sign Language "happy" is shown by gently brushing the palms against each other. The swear word is made by brushing the hands together between the thumb and first finger.

But what has caused further confusion is that the programme uses a variant of sign language designed especially for children people with learning difficulties called Makaton. Whilst it shares general signing with a standardised version of full British Sign Language, it has different symbols. The RNID apparently advised the BBC that using Makaton could cause confusion. The Poorhouse isn't quite sure if it was specifically this type of confusion that was expected. To be fair, should a programme be broadcast in German we probably wouldn't complain too much even if it featured words like "kunst", yes?

For any Tumble well-wishers it seems a solidarity site has formed on the web - Mr Tumble is Innocent - a site "dedicated to letting Mr Tumble know he's not alone during this hard time". You can leave him a message there should you wish, as long as it passes the "niceness" filter. Beware though that the info re the programme still being shown at present is out of date as far as the Poorhouse can tell. No matter though because, whilst it's a bit hard to tell with youtube quality and user-snipping, but just to get you in the mindset of the tumble, here's a couple of short episodes to view.