The BBC is currently broadcasting a series of programmes entitled “White” and asking: ” Is white working class Britain becoming invisible?"

Rather pompously, the series is promoted as:

The white working class in Britain is put under the spotlight in a season of unflinching programmes examining why some sections of this community feel increasingly marginalised today……the White season explores the complex mix of feelings that lead some white working class people to say they feel under siege, that their very sense of self is being brought into question.

BBC Breakfast TV news this morning ran a report on missing nine-year old, Shannon Matthews – who disappeared on 19 February after leaving school.  A neighbour of the family was interviewed and came up with this unforgettable quote (was this a surruptitious plug for “White”?):

"I think Shannon’s been tooken”.

“Tooken”?   “Tooken”!?!

Beyond parody!

This, from the land that gave us Shakespeare!