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Natasha Kaplinsky recalled by Mattell

BBC television presenter Natasha Kaplinsky was today recalled by toy manufacturer Mattell amid fears that she may be dangerously leaden due to the excessive amounts of paint applied.

Carl Werthers, CEO of Mattell Europe, commented: ‘We have become concerned that prolonged exposure to Natasha Kaplinsky might lead to possible brain damage. We are worried not only about the audience, but also her co-presenters who may have found working with her increasingly toxic.’

Kaplinsky joined the BBC as a desk mascot in 2002, but quickly proved popular with senior producers who were charmed by her almost lifelike features. She was soon propped up on the desk of BBC Breakfast, where the new talking Natasha, with a limited number of reassuring phrases soon became a hit with Breakfast’s drowsy morning viewers.

In 2003 she moved to the couch where she could be positioned sitting bolt upright, while gazing glassily straight to camera. ITV hit back, challenging ‘the British Barbie’ with their very own Ken in the shape of Ben Shepherd

BBC Head of News, Dominic Slattley, said: ‘Natasha became a valued member of the Breakfast team. Losing her will be like losing a couch or a coffee table, or some other large piece of furniture.’ But we are confident that we can find a suitable replacement for her, and our production team has already been dispatched to Toys ‘R’ Us.’