New TV embarrassment for armed forces

Army chiefs are bracing themselves for a new row about their readiness to accommodate today's insatiable popular culture. Following hard on the heels of the widely-condemned decision to allow the sailors recently captured by Iran to sell their stories to the media, the Ministry of Defence has withdrawn all military cooperation with the forthcoming TV series Strictly Come Minesweeping.

Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, apparently fears that allowing servicemen and women to conduct synchronised minesweeping operations with celebrities such as Danielle Lloyd or Tony from Hollyoaks may offend against the dignity of the armed forces, as well as exposing ill-trained celebrities to the risk of horrific injury.