Laa-Laa insists the Teletubbies were not gay

A former Teletubby has broken her silence to insist: Laa-Laa, Tinky Winky, Dipsy and Po weren't gay. Nikky Smedley, who played yellow-suited Laa-Laa, spoke out to rubbish claims smash hit children’s show Teletubbies was laced wih gay innuendo. She said: “I think it’s embarrassing for the people who said it.

“What kind of person can take the obvious innocence and turn it into something else? We were hardly sexual beings.” Nikky, now working as a professional storyteller, last donned the famous furry outfit in 2007. During her ten years as Laa-Laa, the BBC show battled rumours of gay undertones.



In 1999, American cleric Jerry Falwell claimed Tinky Winky was a homosexual role model for children, based on the fact he wore purple and had a triangular antenna. Both are symbols in the gay pride movement. Nikky, from Solihull but now living in Shipston on Stour, has rubbished the rumour-mill.

She’s proud of her part in the BBC blockbuster, but doesn’t miss it. “I don’t pine for pink custard, if that’s what you mean,” said the 49-year-old. When the show was explained to me, I thought it was a work of genius. I thought it will be massive. It came from a place of love and engagement for young children. It is fantastic that somewhere in the world a child will be looking at Laa-Laa and laughing.”