Fireman Sam ISN'T sexist insists cartoon's creator (who was a firefighter himself) as he hits back at the show's critics saying: 'It is for children, not for recruiting' ...

The blockbuster cartoon, which airs in more than 180 countries, has faced criticism after an episode called “The Fire Engine” referred to a firefighter as a fireman.

A London fire station's tweet calling out popular British kids' show "Peppa Pig" for using sexist language has spread like wildfire – and sparked a debate about gender specific wording.

United Kingdom's Channel 5 has removed an episode of Fireman Sam from its online streaming service, after the animated children's programme appeared to show a character treading on pages of the Koran.