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Teletubbies scene was so creepy episode was banned in 1999

Teletubbies scene was so creepy episode was banned in 1999

An episode of the children's show was so eerie it had to be taken off the air in the 90s

Most of us can still remember those mornings plonked in front of the TV craning our necks to watch Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po in all their gallivanting glory.

However, one particular episode of Teletubbies was deemed so creepy it was banned back in 1999.

See it for yourself here:

A core childhood memory for any 90s kid, the BBC Two show was a huge success and went on to have nine seasons, which amounted to a staggering 485 episodes.

Set in the psychedelic-style grassy, floral landscape populated by rabbits and birds.

And co-existing in this setting alongside the four main characters were the likes of the Voice Trumpets, the group's anthropomorphic blue hoover called Noo-Noo and the iconic Sun Baby.

Looking back now, it's a pretty weird bunch of characters.

Teletubbies went on to have over 400 episodes.
BBC Two

However, it's clear that that not every episode went down a treat, with one in particular raising alarm bells for a whole heap of concerned parents back in the day.

The Twitter page, aptly titled Horror4Kids, recently shared some footage of the Teletubbies episode, called 'The Lion & The Bear', which first aired in 1997.

And the episode in question was considered 'too scary' for its target audience - which consisted of children between the ages of one to four years old.

You may be wondering what on earth could be so creepy about a kid's show all about four brightly coloured creatures with television screens on their tummies?

The episode was so controversial it was banned from TV in 1999.
BBC Two

Well, the answer lies with one very haunting character in particular.

The clip in questions starts with a cartoon lion - with unsettlingly darting eyes - being wheeled over the rolling meadows whilst roaring.

A cartoon bear then enters the scene, shouting 'Boo' at the dead-eyed lion.

"I am the scary lion," the lion begins, "and I am looking for the bear."

Grimacing and snarling the whole way through, the lion then adds: "I know she's hiding, but I don't know where."

The shot then pans to the four Teletubbies, who are watching the whole ordeal take place.

BBC Two

The lion then repeats himself again before saying: "I'm looking over here and I'm looking over there."

Seemingly fixated on this elusive bear, he carries on looking around the grassy hills.

The bear then lets out a childish yet super eerie giggle to tease the clearly frustrated lion.

Raising his voice, the shot then zooms into the lion's face as he forcibly demands: "Where's the bear?"

Finally finding the bear, the lion then chases after it, while the bear says: "Catch me!"

The clip then ends after showing the pair running - or rather wheeling - around the hills, both making some very odd noises.

Parents reportedly made 'numerous complaints' about the age-inappropriate music, scary voices, dark tone, and creepy dialogue.

"This traumatised me as a kid."
BBC Two

And hundreds of other Twitter users seemingly agreed with the parents.

One wrote: "It is the Freddie meets Jason equivalent of children's stories...dear God!"

Another revealed: "This was genuinely my first experience of horror as a child. I don’t even need to watch the clip because I had nightmares about that bear for months."

"The only time I was scared by Teletubbies was the music from this segment," recalled someone else.

And a final person commented: "This traumatised me as a kid, I legit remember being terrified of it. It's the one vivid memory I have from being that young."

Eh-oh, indeed.

Featured Image Credit: BBC Two

Topics: TV and Film, Weird