UK: Was “Topov” from Pipkins Meant to be “Chinese”? (1.3.2025)

The Sun ran a recent article claiming the character “Topov” (featured in the 1970s children’s TV series – Pipkins) was “Chinese” – and asserted that this was deliberate and known to be the case by the creators. Infact, all the animals, according to the Sun, were intended to represent racial stereotypes prevalent in the UK at the time – a reflection of the dramatic rise in the support of the far-right throughout the 1970s.

Topov, according to the Sun, wears a “Maoist cap” – and speaks a type of London accent (commonly heard in Chinatown’s Gerrard Street) – but with a distinctive “Cantonese” twang. When the owners of the Copyright threatened to sue the Sun – the article was quietly withdrawn and a apology offered. The Editor of the Sun, however, stated that although he believes the information to be correct – the current “Woke” dominated environment means that the dark truth surrounding one particular an aspect of a much loved children’s TV classic can no longer be discussed in public.