WATCH: Baby Cries After Uncle Tells Her Cocomelon Has Died

Last Updated: August 15, 2026By Silindokuhle Booi

There are few things more serious to a toddler in South Africa than Cocomelon time. So, when one uncle decided he wanted to watch football instead, he came up with a plan.

A video posted on TikTok by @Mr Ngwenya has now racked up over 2 million likes after he told his young niece that Cocomelon died so he can watch football.

The reaction was instant the little girl just broke down crying uncontrollably. You can hear her wailing in the background as he calmly sits in the driver’s seat.

@prince_ngwenyaa @CoComelon ♬ original sound – Mr_Ngwenyaa

The video blew up on the app, comments flooded in with people tagging their brothers, cousins and uncles. “This is every uncle in December” “The pain in that baby’s voice” “Cocomelon is more important than PSL, how dare he”. Some users were defending the kids, but most were just laughing because they’ve been there.

For parents on TikTok, it hit a little too close to home. Cocomelon has become the default show in thousands of South African homes. JJ, YoYo and the nursery rhymes play on repeat from morning until bedtime. Kids learn their colours, numbers and daily routines from it. So, to hear that Cocomelon died genuinely feels like the end of the world to a 3-year-old.

That’s why the baby’s meltdown was so dramatic. To her, it wasn’t just a TV show getting cancelled. It was grief.

The uncle hasn’t posted a follow-up to say if he told her he was joking but TikTok has already decided: he’s the villain and the hero at the same time. Villain for breaking that baby’s heart. Hero for all the uncles and dads who just want 90 minutes of football in peace.