SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS - SPONGEBOB CREATOR SLAMS GAY CLAIMS

LATEST: SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS creator STEPHEN HILLENBURG has slammed suggestions his yellow cartoon character is gay, insisting the loveable sponge is "asexual".

A children's music video starring Spongebob, BARNEY, WINNIE THE POOH and a host of other cartoon favourites has been slapped with a gay alert warning by Christian Conservative groups.

The video was created by nonprofit WE ARE FAMILY FOUNDATION to encourage tolerance and diversity, but has been met with disapproval by AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION and FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, who claim the promo promotes acceptance of homosexuality.

However Hillenburg has laughed off the right wing groups' suggestions, saying, "It doesn't have anything to do with what we're trying to do. We never intended them to be gay.

"I consider them to be almost asexual. We're just trying to be funny and this has got nothing to do with the show."