At 7.23 a.m. on Monday, George Webster made television history when he bounced off the CBeebies home.
Most young viewers were unaware they were witnessing a historic television moment: To them, Webster was just a smiling, brightly dressed adult talking to Dodge, the CBeebies dog.
Webster He is the first BBC children presenter with Down syndrome, but his disability was not mentioned. He simply introduced himself as George, a 20-year-old from Leeds who loves to cook, sing and dance.
The fact that he did not receive any special treatment made it all the more important for many parents watching at home.
CBeebies, you got the mom of a little kid like George so excited. Karen Taylor tweeted ‘You’re the best.’ One dad posted a picture of him and his daughter with a picture of Down saying, ‘Go George!!! We are very excited to see you.”
Another wrote: “My son has autism and he turned to me and said: I love George Dad.” That’s all you need to know. Thank you CBeebies. You did something amazing today.”
Back at his home in Leeds, Webster was confused by the reaction. He pre-recorded his CBeebies debut but watched him come out. He insisted he wasn’t nervous: “I felt really positive, excited and happy to move on.” He hopes to inspire children watching at home “to enjoy every moment and seize every opportunity when it comes.”
His mother, Jane, said her emotions were all over the place: “I was breathing one minute and smiling the next. I just love his work ethic and his positivity. We always say George’s days are all 10 out of 10 because he makes it that way.”
Webster’s first show proved to be a huge hit with viewers. his syllable Doing Saturday Night Fever-style dance moves, making smoothie, and reciting a poem went viral on Twitter, racking up over 1.2 million views.
He was originally set as a guest presenter, but viewers bombed the network demanding that he sack his full time.
“We originally agreed that George would be a guest announcer just to facilitate and introduce him to the CBeebies family. But really, I think we’re quickly looking at a biweekly Friday, right, George?” CBeebies producer Claire Taylor said in a three-way video call with her new co-star and newspaper The Guardian. “And then I’m sure he’ll hit the weekly digits, if not more.”
He has spent his first salary taking his family out to dinner in Leeds and will fit in recordings alongside a performing arts course with Mind the Gap, a theater company for people with learning disabilities.
Although CBeebies has long been a leader when it comes to disability representation – in 2009, Siri BurnellBorn with only one hand, she made her debut — there are still enough handicapped people on TV, Webster said.
“I think there should be a lot of representation because we are human too. Although we are different, we need to be treated equally.”
The talent was discovered by the BBC through his work as an ambassador for Mencap, a charity for people with learning disabilities. Earlier this year, he was asked to record a file A video that breaks the myth on BBC BitesizeHe dispels some common misconceptions about people with Down syndrome. He started it by saying, “I call myself George because that’s who I am now. Not George Down.”
He said that people with Down syndrome are not always happy: “People with Down syndrome have emotions and feelings just like everyone else.” He explained that they “suffer” from this condition. “I have a great life. It has been very positive. I loved going to school. I went to two great local schools. I had support at both schools, which helped me with my education. I got my GCSE and A-level equivalent in BTec Sports, Level 3.”
He is also an ambassador for Parkrun and recently acted in a short film called Sam, starring a young gay gay fan of local misfits, which will be shown on Film4 and available on demand for 12 months starting in October. And plans are also underway for a special CBeebies event with his childhood hero Mr. Tumble.
He hopes to further his acting career and would like to appear in Doctor Who or a James Bond movie. He said that he is a very big fan, and said that he will take the opportunity to dance in a future series.
For now, though, he’s excited to be on CBeebies and ready to be met by young fans when he’s out in Leeds. “I would love it,” he said. “I am always very positive, always smiling and bubbly. I love life – there is nothing stopping me.”