In an act of historical airbrushing, the BBC has banned its new Sherlock Holmes from smoking a pipe.
Pipe down
7 March 2007
When it comes to craven political correctness, the BBC is up there with the best of them. This time, however, the corporation has surpassed itself. In an act of historical airbrushing, the BBC has banned its new Sherlock Holmes from smoking a pipe.
“In the forthcoming series, Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Regulars, the producers decided that it was time to make Holmes a little more health-conscious,” I’m told.
Actor Jonathan Pryce, who is to follow in the footsteps of Basil Rathbone as Britain’s most famous detective, thinks the BBC was right not to follow a stereotypical characterisation.
“As pipe-smoking makes me nauseous, I was very happy not to light up,” he says.
Conan Doyle purists, however, and smokers’ lobby group Forest are incensed by the move.
“Holmes without his pipe? It’s unthinkable,” blasts Forest director Simon Clark. “How is he going to solve all those dastardly crimes if he’s denied the opportunity to think, ponder and reflect while lighting his briar? Fictional detectives need their nicotine. What next? Rebus without his fags? Even Poirot enjoyed the occasional cigarette to stimulate those little grey cells.”
A BBC spokesman defends the action: “Ofcom has strict guidelines on what you can and can’t show on children’s television. Smoking and drug-taking should not be condoned, justified or encouraged.”
