I'm not a fan of Carol Thatcher. It has nothing to do with her mother, for I believe in 'Do Not Visit The Sins of The Fathers - or Mothers - Upon The Children' . It's because I've never been able to understand how she gets the jobs in broadcasting that she does. For me, there are far more talented people around who are far more deserving of the jobs she's given.

I can understand people of a younger age taking offence at what she said.

However...............

..I'm of an 'older' age, and for me, the term 'Golliwog' is no different to 'Teddy Bear', in that when I was growing up (I'm 53) golliwogs were toys. I *always* wanted a golly, but was never allowed one. There were *never* any racist overtones to it for me, or for any of my friends.

Robertson's Marmalade and Jams used to have their Robertson Golly on every single one of their jars, and as kids we'd save the labels up and send off for the little badges, and Oh how I loved those badges! :0) It was entirely innocent and I never grew up to use the word in an abusive manner.

Robertson's Golly


I think it's sad that 'gollywog' has become yet another word to hang people with, because to me it has no racist meaning at all, but then I come from a time when 'gay' also meant happy, so what do I know?

But those of you who are younger, and who choose to see racists/religiousists/facists/sexisits/dailymailitists in every person that you don't like, just remember, that once upon a time, words were said in innocence...

And once upon a time we didn't all report on one another, or take each other to court over things.

Once upon a time, before we reached '1984', the world was, on the whole, a somewhat gentler place.

I don't think she deserves to be hated for this. That would put her, for me, in the same category as paedeophiles and murderers.

I think Russell Brand, for all his daftness, is the only one to have come out of any of these BBC fiascos with some respect, because he admitted he'd done wrong immediately and he apologised profusely. I felt it was from the heart too, as he seemed genuinely upset to have caused the upset he did to Andrew Sachs and his grandaughter. Then he disappeared off into the sunset, of his own accord, without ever having to be sacked from his job. He behaved in an honourable way at the end.

I think that Carol and Jonathon have a great deal to learn from Russell.