The censors who say Mary Poppins is too offensive for kids to watch alone: A former BBC star, a political journalist turned MP and the man who pioneered computer racing games are among the seven bosses behind classic's new PG rating

The board who ruled Mary Poppins is too offensive for children to watch without parents have been revealed as a former BBC star, a political journalist turned MP and a pioneer of computer racing games. 

Today it emerged Mary Poppins has had its age rating lifted from U to PG because it contains 'discriminatory language'. 

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) now considers the 1964 tale of Julie Andrews' magical nanny to be not suitable for children to watch alone, despite the film enchanting generations of youngsters. 

It says the reclassification is due to the use of the word Hottentots. The dated term was historically used by Europeans to refer to the Khoekhoe, a group of nomadic herders in South Africa, but is now regarded as racially offensive. 

And the decision was made by the BBFC who say they help families 'choose well' by giving guidance on what’s right for them and 'what’s not'. 

The seven members of the BBFC are currently Natasha Kaplinsky, Murphy Cobbing, Lord Patel of Bradford, David Austin, Gloria De Piero, Darren Jobling and John Stanley.

Mary Poppins has had its age rating lifted from U to PG because it contains 'discriminatory language'

Natasha Kaplinsky (left) is the President of the BBFC and Murphy Cobbing (right) is a Vice President

Natasha Kaplinsky OBE is the President of the BBFC as well as the chair of the board of directors.

The former TV broadcaster was seen on the 6 'o' clock news, BBC Breakfast ITN, and presenting the main evening news on channel 5. 

Murphy Cobbing is Vice President and board director but was previously a BBC news and documentary producer for 20 years. 

She has also worked for TV production company Liberty Bell and the Newcastle Chronicle. 

Until recently, she was a trustee and Vice Chair of the Tyneside Cinema. 

Lord Patel of Bradford OBE is also Vice President and Board Director.

He is also a qualified social worker and was appointed Chair of Social Work England, the regulator for all child, family and adult social workers, in March 2018. 

The BBFC website says: 'He was previously a Senior Independent Director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Chair of the Mental Health Act Commission, and a Commissioner of the Healthcare Commission and the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse.'

 Lord Patel of Bradford (left) is also a Vice President and David Austin (right) who is Chief Executive

Gloria De Piero and Darren Jobling are both Independent Directors

David Austin is the Chief Executive and is in charge of making executive decisions on behalf of the Board of Classification, ensuring the execution of policy, management of the BBFC, and handling external relations. 

He has been working for the BBFC since 2003, when he began as an examiner. He later became Assistant Director of Policy and Public Affairs in 2011 followed by Chief Executive in 2016. 

Other relevant experience he has includes his role as a member of the Board of the Cinema Advertising Association (CAA).

Gloria De Piero is Independent Director with the BBFC after a 15 year career as a political journalist working for the BBC then GMTV. 

She was elected as the Labour MP for Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, in 2010 but did not stand for re-election in 2019. 

Darren Jobling is an Independent Director of BBFC.

But his previous career was in the games industry where he pioneered the creation of racing simulations for Electronic Arts, Activision and Take Two.

In 2014, he launched start up ZeroLight for which he leads a team that creates digital marketing platforms for VW, Mitsubishi, Lucid Motors, and BRP. 

John Stanley is also an Independent Director on the board

John Stanley is also an Independent Director on the board. 

But he has more than 35 years worth of experience within transactional, physical and digital media in film, TV, games and music. 

He spent 15 years at Warner Bros leading the Home Entertainment division in the UK, Eire, Spain and Nordics. 

John was also Chairman of the Home Entertainment Industry council for three years and is an industry expert across International and US Film and Games operations. 

He also has a history working for 20th Century Fox in senior sales, marketing and managing Director roles. 

But his career started in commercial positions in the music industry, working for both CBS Records and Polygram Music.

According to the BBFC's guidelines on PG content, 'some scenes may be unsuitable for young children'. 

They add that while children of any age can watch, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset 'younger, or more sensitive, children'.

The BBFC looked at historical context – the film is set in early 20th century London – but the fact the language is not condemned means it now exceeds guidelines for a U film. 

The BBFC said: 'We understand from our racism and discrimination research... that a key concern for... parents is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence.' 

It added: 'Content with immediate and clear condemnation is more likely to receive a lower rating.'

MailOnline has reached out to the BBFC for further comment.