Downton writer joins war on TV mumbling

DOWNTON Abbey creator Julian Fellowes yesterday joined criticism of the ‘fashion’ of mumbling in primetime television dramas.

The award-winning screenwriter, who is a Tory peer, took part in a Lords debate following complaints that the dialogue in BBC shows such as Jamaica Inn, Happy Valley, Invisible Man, Taboo and SS- GB was difficult to hear.

Sitting as Baron Fellowes West Stafford, he said: ‘The fashion for mumbling dialogue in search of greater truth – because that’s what it’s all about – is simply that, a fashion.

‘We had a lot of trouble with it in the 1950s and 60s and when it comes to an unfortunate fashion the Government has no proper role other than to hope it will soon pass.’

Tory peer Lord Naseby, who raised the issue in the Lords, accused the BBC of being the ‘main offender’ and called for the corporation to face a formal investigation.

But Culture Minister Lord Ashton of Hyde said it was a matter for broadcasters, claiming: ‘One person’s mumbling is another’s atmosphere’.

Lord Naseby expressed disappointment that the Government would not take up the issue, insisting that 25million licence fee holders wanted to hear dramas on the BBC. ‘Is it appropriate the ordinary viewer has to go to subtitles to understand what the dialogue is?’ he asked.

Lord Blunkett, the former Labour home secretary who is blind, said ministers should ‘lean on’ regulator Ofcom so every word and whisper could be heard. ‘Atmosphere is fine if you can lip read,’ he said.

‘When you can’t, the mumbling becomes not just an irritant, but an impossibility.’