Graham Linehan slams 'Today' programme 'ambush'

Graham Linehan has hit out at BBC Radio 4's Today programme after being invited on Monday's show to talk about his upcoming stage adaptation of The Ladykillers.

In a column for The Guardian, the Father Ted and IT Crowd creator claimed that he realised on talking to critic Michael Billington in the green room that he had been set up in an "ambush".

Linehan said: "Michael, somewhat embarrassed, told me that he was actually providing the opposing side in an argument about the wisdom of adapting The Ladykillers at all.

"What I thought was going to be a discussion about the technical challenges afforded by turning a classic film into a worthwhile play, was actually going to be a typical Today programme bunfight.

"Fine - if they were going to ambush me, I would ambush right back. I decided not to play. I tried to reveal as little about the play as I could, and made an early decision not to engage with any of Michael's arguments."

Linehan added: "The style of debate practised by the Today programme poisons discourse in this country... It is a binary view of politics, of life and, as a result, it is also a dishonest one. Replace it with anything - anything - because anything would be better."

He also asked if it is policy for the producers of the show to "deliberately misbrief" guests and suggested that "such tactics [are] the only way you guys feel you can maintain your little fight club".

Ealing Studios' The Ladykillers was originally released in 1955 and was remade by the Coen brothers in 2004 with Tom Hanks in the lead role.

Linehan recently suggested that The IT Crowd may end after one final series.