Strictly snog is even bigger than Trump or Brexit

Sometimes a TV programme is able to command such a large chunk of the news agenda that you feel you’ve been watching it, even though you haven’t.

This is certainly true of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, thanks to the exploits of comedian Seann Walsh (no, me neither).

Walsh has caused outrage by kissing his married dance partner Katya Jones. Having its cake and eating it by publicising its own programme, the BBC reports this week that “their Charleston received a warm reaction from the crowd.

Dragging itself back into the 21st century, the report adds gleefully: “Strictly had an audience share of 51.2% and was the most-watched show across all channels on Saturday.”

Well, that’s hardly a surprise, given its seems to have been the only news story over the past fortnight that doesn’t relate to the Brexit negotiations or Donald Trump. They say no publicity is bad publicity but I’m not so sure, as Walsh has chosen to work in a profession that has become depressingly puritanical.

Government ministers can generally ride out a personal scandal these days but modern comedy is very much based around taking the moral high ground. Any comic wanting to bathe in the warm applause of a self-righteous audience needs to be above reproach himself. You can’t go on Have I Got News for You and aim a finely-tuned barb at Trump, Brexit, ‘the bankers’ or anything else in the comedy comfort zone, if your own behaviour is seen to have slipped. Probably worth a try, though. TV comedy crowds seem easily amused and double standards are often overlooked.

You tend to hear more sincere, Pavlovian applause than actual laughter on these programmes. Why make people laugh when you can just try to echo their worldview?

I’ve no idea whether Seann Walsh is such a comedian but I’m sure he’ll be welcomed back to the comedy fraternity once he’s paid his penance with a few jokes about Ukip voters or a similarly easy target. It almost makes you nostalgic for mother-in-law jokes.