From Winnie-the-Pooh to Bob the Builder, TV producers modernise cherished children’s favourites at their peril.

When you have created a well-loved children’s cartoon character, what do you do next? Well, increasingly the answer to that question is ‘mess about with it’.

Arguably, the rot started when Disney’s animators were let loose on Winnie-the-Pooh, delivering a rotund American character seven long acres away from EH Shepherd’s adorably scruffy original illustrations.

In 2005 Warner Brothers tried to foist a ‘cool new look’ for Bugs Bunny on us. And the less said about Postman Pat’s improbable acquisition of a helicopter and a snowboard the better.

But a new generation of outrage began this weekend as Mattel released images of a new, redesigned Bob the Builder. His agreeably spherical head and stylised features have – bafflingly - given way to a crude caricature of Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.

THERE'S A NEW BOB THE BUILDER NOOOO WTF MY CHILDHOOD IS TERMINATED pic.twitter.com/rQf137hLnI — Adam (@AdamPlaysYT) October 12, 2014

WHY DID THEY REMAKE BOB THE BUILDER ������ why pic.twitter.com/RG6RFpm8Wk — Ben Loke (@locoluchalibre) October 11, 2014

Mattel bought Hit Entertainment, owners of not only Bob but also Fireman Sam and Thomas the Tank Engine, in 2011. His stablemates have already been ‘modernised’ and now it’s Bob’s turn.

The new series of Bob the Builder will make its debut next year. Bob will move from cosy rural Fixham to the mean streets of Spring City, and gain some new friends along the way. Bob will get a new voice too – Lee Ingleby will replace Neil Morrissey to provide Bob’s voice in the new series while Joanne Froggatt, known to Downton Abbey fans as long-suffering maid Anna, will voice Wendy.

While some bemoan the marketing men tinkering with the look of cherished cartoon characters (Dennis the Menace’s tracksuit being one oft-cited example) perhaps what’s worse is when they tinker with the sound. Someone honestly thought this was an appropriate voice for Peter Rabbit.

Sometimes, as the old Bob might have said – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

What do you think of Bob’s makeover? Let us know in the Comments section below.