The Scarecrows' Wedding: Why author Julia Donaldson threatened to pull TV adaptation of classic children's story | UK News | Sky News

Julia Donaldson's loveable characters have been a staple of Christmas Day TV for more than a decade, but a lot of the drama around this year's story happened off screen after its creator threatened to pull the plug. Image:Domhnall Gleeson and Jessie Buckley voice scarecrows Harry O'Hay and Betty O'Barley Image:Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson's latest children's book has been made into an animation. Pic: Magic Light Pictures/BBC Image:Pic: Magic Light Pictures/BBC It's 16 years since the BBC aired the first of her and illustrator Axel Scheffler's children's stories - an animated retelling of The Gruffalo. Since then, viewers have been treated to everything from Tiddler to Stick Man and Superworm, and this year it's The Scarecrows' Wedding. The story follows scarecrows Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, voiced by Jessie Buckley and Domhnall Gleeson, who are planning to marry, despite Reginald Rake, a villainous rival scarecrow voiced by Rob Brydon, trying to ruin their big day. Image: Domhnall Gleeson and Jessie Buckley voice scarecrows Harry O'Hay and Betty O'Barley But readers familiar with the story will notice a key plot change. Donaldson was asked to rework a dramatic fire that's started by a cigar in her book in order for the project to get the green light. She says she balked at the idea of changing what she'd written when producers first suggested it. Image: Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson's latest children's book has been made into an animation. Pic: Magic Light Pictures/BBC She explains: "The film company said 'you're not allowed to show anyone, even a baddie, smoking,' even though the book says 'smoking is bad for you, Betty exclaimed'... initially I said 'well, I'm sorry, just don't do it then, I don't mind, I'm not going to change it.' "But I think I'm the sort of person, when someone puts an idea in my head, I thought 'well I'll just see if it could be done'. "I came up with the idea of toasting these marshmallows, which I think is something children will love... and I think it works really well, so I'm happy with the change and I made the change myself." Image: Pic: Magic Light Pictures/BBC In a statement, media regulator Ofcom said it always considers "context and freedom of expression" but that "while there is no outright prohibition, under our broadcasting rules... smoking... must not be featured in programmes made primarily for children unless there is strong editorial justification." So does Donaldson think we are at risk of being too sheltering towards children? "Don't get me started on that - I totally agree," she says. "You get told that you can't have any stories anymore about children doing things unchaperoned by an adult, as if people can't distinguish between real life and fiction. "I hope this is just a phase and that people are going to be a bit more permissive as far as children's stories go." Plot rewrite - see what got the chop Julia Donaldson was asked to rewrite part of her book for the...

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