'Come Dine With Me' voiceover man Dave Lamb dropped from Waybuloo after complaints

Makers of Cbeebies’ show 'Waybuloo' have been forced to make a u-turn after receiving thousands of complaints about its new voiceover.

The overhaul of the children’s show had only been place for 24 hours before parents began to signal their anger over 'Come Dine With Me' voiceover man Dave Lamb having been brought in to narrate the programme.

They were also angry that the popular show, featuring yoga-loving creatures called Piplings, had been shortened.

[See also: Something for the Weekend could return on ITV]

150 complaints were made to the BBC through official channels, while 1,000 people made their opinions known on the Cbeebies’ website. Others flooded parenting websites and Twitter with complaints.

It was hoped that Lamb, who also voices kids' show ‘Gory Games’, might broaden the appeal of the show to older children, but it appears to have backfired spectacularly.

One parent said: “What have you done? My 18-month-old just sat there looking confused and unhappy.
“You had a very good enjoyable show and have completely ruined it by adding a narrator that isn’t needed, and slicing the show time in half. What were you thinking?”

[See also: Meet the Dancing on Ice contestants]

A BBC spokesperson said: “We appreciate all the comments we’ve received on the new format for ‘Waybuloo’. We’ve listened to the feedback and have decided to revert to the original format for the show in the ‘Bedtime Hour’ going forward.” [Daily Mail]

Also in today's press

The BBC has revealed that 61% of its shows are repeats. The broadcaster aired 2,736 re-runs from March 2010 to March 2011, up 1.7% on the previous year. [Digital Spy]

Bosses of ITV dating show 'Take Me Out' have said they will review their selection process after the murky pasts of some of its contestants turned up in the tabloids. Earlier in the week it emerged that Aaron Withers had a conviction for assaulting a woman and had once been a male escort. Now it’s also been reported that 28-year-old contestant Wen Jing Mo had been a £200-per-night prostitute. “During the application process we ask contestants to declare any convictions, and background checks are carried out on each individual, in line with industry practice,” a spokesperson for talkbackTHAMES said. “Aaron's criminal record did not come to light. We will be reviewing procedures going forward.” [Metro/The Sun]