Hasbro provokes backlash after making Mr Potato Head gender neutral

 (Photo: Hasbro)

Toymaker Hasbro sparked an online backlash this week after announcing that it would be dropping the "Mr" from its Mr Potato Head toy. 

Mr Potato Head is one of the most popular toys to be feature in the hit Toy Story movie franchise from Disney and Pixar. 

Notably, his character was known for insisting on the "Mr", with "That's Mr Potato Head to you" being one of the memorable lines from the movie. 

Hasbro announced on Thursday that the toy was being "reimagined for the modern consumer" and that "Mr" was being removed from packaging from autumn.

It said the new version would give children "endless" opportunities to create their own families.  

"Hasbro is making sure all feel welcome in the Potato Head world by officially dropping the Mr from the Mr Potato Head brand name and logo to promote gender equality and inclusion," it said in a statement. 

But the toymaker was mocked online after the announcement. 

TalkRADIO's Mark Dolan called Mr Potato Head the "latest victim of cancel culture" and of "woke political correctness gone mad".

"It is a shocking story, it is a disgrace," he said. 

"He's a potato! Please leave well alone. Welcome to the crazy world of 2021."

GMB presenter Piers Morgan tweeted that there were more important things to be getting on with in the middle of a global pandemic than making Mr Potato Head gender-neutral "in case we upset a few wokies". 

Hasbro has since clarified that Mr and Mrs Potato Head "aren't going anywhere" and will still be available to buy. 

News
Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, dies from cancer aged 64
Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, dies from cancer aged 64

His death came just weeks after he announced his terminal cancer diagnosis.

As missiles fly overhead, Christians in Lebanon are 'exhausted', says bishop
As missiles fly overhead, Christians in Lebanon are 'exhausted', says bishop

Tens of thousands of people are displaced in Lebanon as renewed strikes bring a fragile ceasefire to an end.

Scottish church leaders urge Holyrood to reject assisted suicide
Scottish church leaders urge Holyrood to reject assisted suicide

A final vote on the issue is expected to be very close.

Who was St Piran and why is he the patron saint of Cornwall?
Who was St Piran and why is he the patron saint of Cornwall?

5 March is St Piran’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of Cornwall. But who was St Piran, and what do we know about him? This is the story.