Old Jacks boat and the girl in the Mermaid on cbeebies

[lolaflores]

Why does she do that big sexy (IMO) wink at the camera? Sexing it up for the dads or something? It is so inappropriate. She has as far as I have witnessed, never spoken a line either?! Is her entire raison d'etre to stand around pumping out bar maid winks surrounded by cup cakes?
How the fuck does this make any sense in a kids programme?
Someone put me right or I shall continue to be unreasonable in the dark.

[GalaxyDefender]

I've seen her talk occasionally, so she does have some sort of an actual role other than being looked at.

Wouldn't surprise me if she was there for the dads though, there have been a few male presenters for kids shows chosen because they have "mummy appeal" The main offender being that ponce from Iconicles. I've also heard tell of Mr. Bloom being told to "wink for Mumsnet", but I don't mind that one so much

[MajesticWhine]

I haven't really noticed the winking girl. I will check it out next time. I can't bear Jacks boat. There is a collective sigh in this house when it comes on. But it's that peak viewing time when you want to cook some dinner.

[Fanjounchained]

Yes she's had a few lines. My OH does think she's gorgeous....have wondered myself about the coquettish wink....But you sound a bit jealous so pretend this is a cupcake and calm down love.....(runs off and hides...)

[UserNameAngst]

She is a bit annoying. But what distracts me is that Bernard Cribbins is 84. 84! Makes me feel young to see my DS watching him on telly as I did as a child.

[lolaflores]

Fanj that line is wearing soooo thin in this day and age....
Hate cupcakes too, but will do anything for a NICE biccie.

My DD2 looks stunned when I say that I watched Bernard when I was little. Tried to find Youtube Jackanory bits to illustrate this but couldn't so she thinks I made it all u
84...
Wonder if winky woman will still be getting work on the telly doing her wink at 84. not bleedin likely

[INeedThatForkOff]

I noticed the inappropriate sexy wink, too. She only ever talks about baking and flower pots from what I can gather.

[sausagedogfan]

I too wondered this. Then I saw it the other day and realised that she can do magic. It's secret so I think the wink is all about that.

Bernard Cribbins is just wonderful, isn't he? And we all love Salty in this house!

[lolaflores]

It is a heavy handed wink though, with the little cutsey bum cock to go with, a face loaded with make up and a cleavage worthy of its own post code. she can do magic! Not my immediate thought.

[attheendoftheday]

I thought the wink was to do with the fact that she is secretly a magical mermaid but the other characters don't know?

She definitely has lines in some episodes. Her name is Shelley.

[FashionFail]

It's cause we know she does the magic, but Jack and Salty Dog don't ...

[TheDemonShedMaster]

I ignore the non-Bernard Cribbins bits and just focus on the fact that he is a wonderful, wonderful story-teller and I LOVE this program. DS can take it or leave it, but I love sitting down to watch it, with a cuppa and a biscuit...

[gallifrey]

to me he will always be Donna's grandad in Dr Who and love that Martha is in it too

[DonderandBlitzen]

I just thought exactly the same thing about the sexy wink. My dd was watching it on Catch Up.

[Fanjounchained]

Was just being silly lola sorry if i annoyed you .

[DonderandBlitzen]

lola You could show your dd this photo of Bernard Cribbins in the Railway Children (1970)

[MTBMummy]

WHat all the other mum's who have Dc's that have big fans of old Jack's Boat, Shelly is magic and DD thinks she's winking at her alone and than mum and dad can't see it so we have to pretend we don't know she's magic :-)

I think you're taking it too seriously

And let's face it she was good as The Doctors assistant

[DonderandBlitzen]

I love the theme song

[LadyApricot]

So glad I'm not the only one who finds it inappropriate. I was quite shocked at the wink!

[ImAlpharius]

My kids think it's a secret wink because she is really Martha and doesn't want anyone to know. They that two much loved characters from Dr Who is in it.

[maddening]

Old jack is eye candy for the mums and martha is for the dads then :)

She is meant to have magical powers that only she and the viewers know about - so it is a secret wink to the viewer.

Whether she has sexed it up I don't know but she's very beautiful so maybe she can't help her wink coming across as sexy. I know I'd struggle to do a sexy wink if I tried but I am not pretty or beautiful alas - I would just look like I had a twitch :)

[DeepPurple]

I thought the wink was because she is magical and can summon cupcakes and balloons and stuff. I could be wrong though!

[lolaflores]

I don't think I am getting annoyed about something insignificant. It seems out of place in the setting. great big honking wink that looks horribly adult. not a knowing wink or secret wink. just, "'allo cheeky"! Benny Hill written all across it. perhaps she is not sufficiently talented to deliver it with any nuance.