Mother-in-law show accused of manipulation

A woman who took part in ITV1 show Take My Mother-In-Law has complained about the way she was treated by the show's producers.

Claire Molyneux and her family were followed by cameras for the reality series after Claire's mother-in-law Josephine moved in to their home to take charge of the household.

Molyneux has claimed that she was baited by producers after the show's format failed to result in the fireworks that had been expected.

"Josephine and I went shopping, went to the zoo, had meals in restaurants and generally had fun and got to know each other much better," Claire told the Daily Mail. "None of that footage was used."

Citing one example of producer manipulation, she continued: "My clothes would be laid out on the bed, and the producer would say things like: 'Your mother-in-law thinks you look like a tart in that.' "

The final edit of the show made it appear that Claire and Josephine had been at war throughout the programme, but they have both managed to keep up the close bond that developed between them during the experience.

"We both know how we were manipulated and we are still great friends," she explained. "They didn't win, no matter how hard they tried. They tried to make Josephine look awful too, like a complete battleaxe, which she certainly isn't."