Oh noooo just when we thought we were safe from yet more political correctness, up ops the producer of one of our most popular programmes to state that the cast of the programme, Midsomer Murders, has always been all white and will stay all white. His name is Brian True-May and if you are a fan you will have noticed his name rolling up on the credits for years as Producer.
"We just dont have ethnic minorities in village life" says he...saying the cast will remain all white.
I must say this is my favourite programme, but I must also put my hands up and say that I never noticed at all that there were no ethnic minorities, no immigrants of any kind, in the programme.
The programme is lets face it, a great wallow in how things were. Although it is shot now and represents the modern day, it really is a giant hark back to the days of yesteryear..before immigration. Beautiful villages, genteel tractors bringing in the hay, horses meandering on the hillside, the village postman on his bike, the village shop with traditional breads, the ivy clad pub...and thats why it is so popular. It represents a hearty whiff of old England. An England no longer with us.
The producer is probably right, interject the various races, and the illusion will be lost. Nobody wants to be reminded of the way we live today..especially us older ones. If you want to be reminded of that you can tune in to the awful East Enders.
The upshot of this is that Mr True-May has now been suspended by ITV and as is the current trend, is likely to be sacked despite the fact that he has produced a stunningly successful programme for years and years. But alas alas.. now that the ethnic thing has been highlighted, the wrath of righteousness will befall him.
Mr True-May was asked the question by the Radio Times and tried an honest answer. Honesty and public life do not go hand in hand.
The picture above is by our very own Colin..and shows a whiff of the genteel side of old England.