Brexit news: BBC blasted as Dad’s Army sitcom blamed for influencing Brexit | UK | News

Author and TV producer Daisy Goodwin is calling for the broadcaster to stop showing repeats of the Second World War sitcom, which originally aired from 1968 to 1977. Ms Goodwin, who created ITV drama Victoria, claimed showing old episodes could have convinced the public to support the UK leaving the European Union. The 57-year-old told the Radio Times: “If you really want to nail the BBC for influencing the nation’s state of mind about Brexit, you might look at how often Dad’s Army has been shown on BBC2.

“The BBC, if it wants to maintain its claim to impartiality, needs to retire the Home Guard (or send them on leave), because in the words of Private Frazer, ‘We are all doomed!’

“The world of Dad’s Army is a comforting place – it was reassuring during the mayhem of the three-day week and it’s soothing to those of us who worry about the effects of a No Deal Brexit.

“But while David Davis may sound like Corporal Jones, Philip Hammond has Sergeant Wilson’s hangdog look about him and there is more than a touch of wide-boy Walker to Boris Johnson, perhaps the Conservatives, indeed the whole nation, need to be reminded that we are not living in Walmington-on-Sea.

“Our current difficulties will not be resolved with a comic flourish and a jaunty burst of Bud Flanagan.”

The show starred Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Clive Dunn and is still watched by millions of people every Saturday.

Dad’s Army followed the lives of the Home Guard protecting the Walmington-on-Sea coastline from a Nazi invasion.

But the dysfunctional team protecting the coast are made up of the local bank manager and his team of volunteers.

It is up to them to take on the German enemies as they invade from across the Channel.

The Home Guard was made up of men who couldn’t take part in military service.

This was mostly due to being too old to join the army or navy.

They were nicknamed “Dad’s Army” because of their age.

The show has been linked to Brexit previously.

The Royal Mail released a collection of stamps last year to mark the show’s 50th anniversary.

But this also coincided with the day MPs voted on the first EU withdrawal.

The stamps featured the show’s most popular characters and catchphrases.

One stamp had Private Frazer’s quote: “We’re doomed. Doomed!”