Viral tweet reveals the real names of children's book characters Biff, Chip and Kipper

A viral tweet about the real names of Biff, Chip and Kipper has struck a chord with fans.

If you’ve had school age children in the last 30 years, you’ve probably endured, we mean read, them one or two Biff, Chip and Kipper books.

The books were created in the 80s to help kids aged 5-7 learn to read and are still used in the curriculum of primary schools across the UK.

While many parents may have wondered about the origin of the lead characters ‘quirky’ names, turns out they’re not actually their names at all.

And Twitter users just can’t get over it.

The furore was originally sparked by one user who revealed her surprise that Biff, Chip and Kipper aren’t actually Biff, Chip and Kipper, but Elizabeth, David and Christopher.

Sharing an image of one of the book pages titled ‘Meet the Robinson Family’, the text explains that because the characters Elizabeth, David and Christopher couldn’t say the names when they were little, they became known by their nicknames.

After pointing out that she’d only just discovered this fact, Twitter user, Jo Evans, wondered what else in her life had been a lie.

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Other Twitter users were quick to reveal their own bemusement at the name revelation.

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It isn’t the first time the books have caused something of a storm on social media.

Back in 2017 publishers Oxford University Press issued a statement to reassure parents after some went online to point out a seemingly dubious scene in a Biff, Chip and Kipper title.

The first image, tweeted by a user, from one of the titles, shows a group of men at the back of the picture discussing something by a bush. The second shows an old woman looking behind the bush and reacting in shock to what she sees.

Following the buzz, the publisher said it was “aware of the recent Twitter and media coverage referencing the illustrations from two Biff, Chip and Kipper books”.

“We would like to reassure you that our books are created with the utmost thought and consideration,” OUP said.

“Our stories have been delighting children, parents, and teachers for over 30 years, and have taught millions of children to read here and around the world. We take the utmost care to ensure that our content is age appropriate and would not cause harm or offence to any child who reads our books.”

In other news about children’s favourites it was revealed earlier this year that ‘Peppa Pig’ is giving US kids British accents.

The feisty pig is adored by children both in the UK and America, but parents of Peppa fans are noticing that their little ones are beginning to speak just like the characters in the show.

And this isn’t the first time a children’s TV programme has caused parents to debate the impact it is having on their little ones.

Back in 2017 Adam Thomas kickstarted a parental debate about the TV programme ‘Horrid Henry’ and whether or not kids should be allowed to watch it.

The ‘Emmerdale’ actor took to Twitter to ask if other parents had stopped their children from watching the popular kids show?

“Anyone else banned there [sic] kid from watching horrid Henry or is it just us?” he wrote.

The 30-year-old went on to explain that his three-year-old son, Teddy’s behaviour seemed to deteriorate after watching the programme.

“Ted’s literally turned into Horrid Henry,” he quipped.