Do we like them?

Do we like Tinky Winky?

A character from Teletubbies (1997–2001, 2015–)

Our score: 8 out of 10. Yes, we'd back him. He's kind, loyal and joyful, and the worst he does is sulk a bit when he loses his bag.

Tinky Winky is the largest of the four Teletubbies, alongside Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po. They live in Teletubbyland, a bright, grassy world where the Tubby Custard Machine and a watchful baby-faced sun keep things cheerful. He is purple, has a triangle-shaped antenna on his head, and carries a red bag.

Each episode follows a simple pattern: the Teletubbies play, dance, and watch short films shown on their tummy screens. Tinky Winky is the slowest to settle but the most affectionate. He loves his bag, and he gets visibly upset if it goes missing, which sets off a gentle hunt to find it.

In 1999 a US preacher, Jerry Falwell, claimed the purple colour, triangle antenna and bag made Tinky Winky a coded gay character. The BBC replied that he is simply a sweet, technological baby with a magic bag. Tinky Winky himself kept doing what he always did, which was hugging his friends and saying "Eh-oh!".

We score him 8. He has no malice, and he's loyal and happy to share. We took off a couple of points only because he sulks over his bag and is dramatic about small things, and because his world is too sheltered for him to be tested.