MR PENDLE: Strictly Come Dancing, it’s just a bit of fun

He really does not fancy watching Ann Widdecombe cavorting on the dance floor while he is having his tea.

But many people have tuned in - including some who have complained about the costumes worn by some of the dancers.

Leather-print leotards, risque dresses and hot pants were apparently too much for some viewers, who said they were inappropriate for a programme shown at 6 p.m. and watched by many children.

Perhaps so - as a non-viewer who has only seen photographs in the national press, Mr Pendle cannot comment.

But the complainants surely do not expect the celebrities to dress as though they were part of a formation dancing team from the original Come Dancing programme from the days of black and white television? It is just a bit of fun, after all, and to have everyone suited and booted, wearing posh frocks and flashing acres of shining teeth at the camera would be taking things too far in the opposite direction.

THE other week, Mr Pendle touched on the world of celebrity endorsement of products and of how he would deliberately avoid buying anything advertised in this way, in part because of the cynicism involved in the marketing.

He described people falling for this ploy as dunderheads - but little did he think that the practice would move from advertising into the world of soap operas, and all with the intention of “persuading” us to part with our cash to a certain manufacturer.

According to Mr Pendle’s TV magazine, a leading bread maker and tea bag producer had teamed up with Coronation Street to mark the show’s 50th anniversary.

The companies’ goods would be used in episodes of the show and, the magazine said - here comes the best bit - this would allow viewers to “touch and interact with their favourites”.

The logical follow on from that is that Corrie fans will go out and buy the same bread and tea because it is served up in Roy’s Rolls, or whatever the cafe is called these days - and there are, no doubt, people who will do such a thing.

Now Mr Pendle buys his food and drink based on its quality, not because a fictional character in a fictional town eats or drinks it on television.

And as for the idea of him “touching and interacting” with his favourites - it’s enough to put him off his tea.