DO Northern accents really matter on TV?

Certainly, for actresses Maxine Peake and Jane Horrocks with glittering careers it’s not been a problem. However, it’s proved one for model Charlotte Wiggins from St Helens.

She can currently be seen in TV advertising for a leading supermarket’s fashion brand in which she speaks. But, apparently, her local accent was not appreciated so her words were dubbed in by someone else.

That’s a mistake. It’s the rich panoply of cultural accents that helps distinguish the remarkable from the ordinary, and reflects real customers.

Fortunately, it’s doubtful that this will harm Charlotte’s career.