Mr Men to upset France? A remake of the Mr Men risks a diplomatic incident over new character Mr Rude who speaks with a French accent.
The character invites children to pull his finger - and then breaks wind, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Mr Rude features in an internet advert for the new programmes, on Channel Five this month, telling viewers how rude he can be and then blowing a raspberry.
The show's makers, Chorion, claim it is not meant to cause offence but the English view of the French lacking a little politeness is well known.
A Five spokesperson said: "Mr Men is a comedy show for four to seven-year-olds.
"The fact Mr Rude has a French accent is meant to be light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek and no offence to the French people is intended."
A spokesman for the French ambassador refused to comment but a source at the embassy told the Daily Telegraph: "It is obviously meant in a light-hearted way but it won't improve Anglo-French relations."
The series will first go out on February 25 and is expected to be sold to countries around the world.
The character invites children to pull his finger - and then breaks wind, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Mr Rude features in an internet advert for the new programmes, on Channel Five this month, telling viewers how rude he can be and then blowing a raspberry.
The show's makers, Chorion, claim it is not meant to cause offence but the English view of the French lacking a little politeness is well known.
A Five spokesperson said: "Mr Men is a comedy show for four to seven-year-olds.
"The fact Mr Rude has a French accent is meant to be light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek and no offence to the French people is intended."
A spokesman for the French ambassador refused to comment but a source at the embassy told the Daily Telegraph: "It is obviously meant in a light-hearted way but it won't improve Anglo-French relations."
The series will first go out on February 25 and is expected to be sold to countries around the world.