Brrrrr-ing on the hot stuff

Iknow our TV schedules are often worked out months in advance, but it still felt like ITV was trolling the nation last night.

First up, The Durrells lit up our living rooms with dazzling Greek sunshine, then the sun-baked new series of The Good Karma Hospital began with locals complaining they hadn’t experienced such a stifling tropical heatwave in 50 years.

You could handle this double bill one of two ways, I suppose. Simmer with rage at having your nose rubbed in the unseasonal snow or simply dive in for a couple of hours of easy escapism.

I chose the latter. I guess I’m just a sucker for the simple pleasure of watching Louisa Durrell (Keeley Hawes, right) chilling on a clifftop above the crystal-blue waters of Corfu, writing to her aunt to inform her she is “thinking of learning the harp or getting a cello between my legs”.

I know some viewers find The Durrells a bit too twee at times but for me this kind of unchallenging, beautifully-shot drama is perfect for Sunday evenings.

It’s also far more risqué than it is given credit for. We had a couple of pre-watershed B-words last night and they’re seldom shy when it comes to showing off their innuendos in public.

The only problem is we are now up to 1937 and we know that in real life the family left Corfu when the Second World War broke out in 1939.

Keeley and co best make the most of that sunshine while they still can.