Report brands soaps "too white"

A new report has criticised soaps for failing to represent ethnic viewers and creating stereotypical characters.

Five soap Neighbours was singled out for being "all white", while Coronation Street and EastEnders were attacked for having Asian shopkeepers and black single mums.

Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said broadcasters were "hideously white" when choosing programmes.

"I don't think anybody here is saying British TV is racist," Phillips said.

"There are minority faces on TV, but it's that we're not quite getting it right, because we do not really have any minority decision makers.

"White people who live next door to Asian neighbours will see a representation of an ethnic minority family and they will say, 'I don't think so, it doesn't ring true with the people I know'."

> Race row study finds TV still too white