EastEnders is not realistic, say Chas and Dave – Daily TV round-up

Chas and Dave have slated 'EastEnders' for not being a realistic portrayal of the east end of London.

The veteran band added that the east end that they grew up with in now gone.

69-year-old Dave Peacock, who was actually brought up in Enfield, north London, said: “EastEnders completely misses the sense of humour in the East End that was fostered in the Blitz.

“The BBC think the East End has got to be gloomy, but it doesn’t at all. East Enders are cheerful. They’ve only got the accents, but not the spirit of the people. It isn’t true to the area in the slightest.”

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Charles Hodges, who also grew up in north London, but whose family was from the east end said: “The whole place has changed beyond recognition. Everything changes, but you shouldn’t keep harping on about the past.

“I think Englishness has probably changed since we started,” added Peacock.

“London has certainly changed. The old Londoners don’t seem to be around like they were anymore. They have died out. Everything changes.

“I do get disappointed by some things in our country, but other things are great.” [Daily Mail]

Also in today's press

Ant and Dec have admitted that their early TV shows were 'awful'. “With SMTV it was a very brave decision by ITV to commission it for a year,” said Ant. “It was so awful to start with and the ratings were so low to start with we might never have made it past the first six months.” [Daily Mirror]

The hotel which was the inspiration for 'Fawlty Towers' is being threatened with demolition to pave the way for new apartments. Plans for the development of the site of the Gleneagles Hotel are currently out for public consultation. [Torquay Herald Express]

The director of BBC television Danny Cohen has said that Jeremy Clarkson is not a racist, despite conducting an investigation into 'Top Gear' over recent accusations of racism. “While Jeremy and I disagree on the language some have recently found very offensive, I do not think he or anyone on the Top Gear team are racist,” he said. “It’s no secret that there have been some significant issues on Top Gear in recent months. The BBC has taken them seriously and has left no one associated with the programme under any illusion just how seriously. I instigated a health check on ‘Top Gear’ to ensure that there were no further issues.” [The Guardian]