Beloved 70s ITV drama in woke row as it is slapped with trigger warning

ITV comedy drama Minder has been hit with disclaimers warning of "offensive language and outdated stereotypes." According to The Sun, the classic programme starred George Cole as wheeler-dealer Arthur and Dennis Waterman as his minder, Terry McCann. Minder, has now seen some episodes slapped with a warning from ITVX, which tells viewers that the show "contains offensive language, outmoded sexual stereotypes and some violence." During one episode in 1980, 'Whose Wife Is It Anyway?', Arthur orders Terry to protect a gay couple who run an antique shop.

Terry described one half of the couple as a "raving iron," which is a reference to a Cockney rhyming slang word for gay men. Terry also says to Arthur when he goes to visit one of the men in the hospital: "Give him a kiss from me."

Terry also tells Arthur he will not stay at the pair's flat, as he wants to "enjoy a few drinks" and "pull a bird". There is also a warning of violence when Arthur is punched in the stomach by a thug, and Terry is involved in a dramatic rooftop fight.

Minder, which was created by Leon Griffiths, ran from 1979 until 1994 and went on to have 10 successful seasons and returned on Channel 5 in 2009 for one series.

Express Online has contacted ITV for comment.

This isn't the first time that a beloved comedy has been hit with trigger warnings. In January, Only Fools and Horses episodes were slapped with disclaimers.

The series one episode, 'The Russians are Coming', has a note that reads: "Contains some offensive racial language of the time."

'The Yellow Peril' and 'Who's A Pretty Boy' - from the second and third series respectively - also carry the same warning.

Two more episodes from series four have the disclaimer, while series five's 'The Miracle of Peckham' warns of language that "may offend. "

The 1985 Christmas special 'To Hull and Back' also has a message that reads: "Contains dated attitudes and behaviours and racist language some viewers may find offensive." The sixth and seventh series are the only ones unaffected by the warnings.