I NOW consult the TV listings with despair.

The stations are dominated with an avalanche of reality shows populated by so-called stars whose careers are behind them, either stuck on a desert island, or making a mess of a kitchen, and amateurs wheeled out to sing and face public ridicule. It seems all other airtime is wasted on sport.

Where have all the actors gone?

This country once produced dramas which were the envy of the world, The Forsyte Saga, Jewel in the Crown, Brideshead Revisited and my personal favourite, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Is there any chance we can see some old-fashioned value for money for our hard-earned licence fee and get some entertainment lined up for the autumn nights?

Otherwise, I'm off to the pub.

Joe Wellthorpe, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough.