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I wonder whether Quentin Letts might, on reflection, view his description of Andrew Marr as being in very doubtful taste.
In his Daily Mail column about the rival Sunday morning TV programmes hosted by Marr and Robert Peston, he referred to “‘Captain Hop-Along’ Marr growling away on BBC1, throwing his arm about like a tipsy conductor.”
Sure, the after-effects of the stroke suffered by Marr in January 2013 are evident. But is it necessary to lampoon him for that?
I don’t want to come off all namby-pamby. I understand that no-one should be beyond criticism and that Letts was exercising his right to press freedom. But really Quentin, that was a graceless remark.
I was full of admiration for Marr (and for the BBC) when he returned to presenting his show some eight months after his stroke. And no-one can deny that he remains a first-class interviewer.
It may appear smart to poke fun, and I’m sure Marr will laugh it off. But I don’t think the rest of us should because it has wider ramifications about the press treatment of people in similar circumstances.
I think Letts overstepped the mark and should apologise.
Update 2pm: I have heard from Quentin Letts who told me he had received similar criticism from a reader. Here is his (very slightly edited) reply:
File photo of Quentin Letts, 2009. 
, a UK political columnist and sketch writer, publicly apologized yesterday after he mocked disabled broadcaster . Letts was reviewing former BBC business editor 's new ITV television show for the ''Daily Mail'' on Sunday when he made the comments. In his column he said Marr, who suffered a stroke in 2013, was like "Captain Hop-Along, growling away on BBC One, throwing his arm about like a tipsy conductor".

Letts posted an apology on his  page after a critical article by , which appeared in ''The Guardian''. Greenslade said "I don't want to come off all namby-pamby. I understand that no-one should be beyond criticism and that Letts was exercising his right to press freedom. But really Quentin, that was a graceless remark."

The apology tweet read, "I fear my sketch reference to the admirable Marr today was horrid. Apologies to all concerned and upset." Letts also replied directly to Greenslade, who updated his article. Letts said "Perhaps I should have been more cautious but I hope that Andrew will forgive it. He has been equally teasing about himself in my company. I admire him." He also added he believes Marr's stroke had "made him more watchable than he was beforehand."

Criticism also came from Marr's wife and . Eleven complaints were filed in relation to the comments to the  according to a BBC statement.

Andrew Marr drew in 1.6 million viewers on Sunday, significantly more than Peston's debut with 166,000 viewers tuning in, according to ''The Guardian''. Peston left the BBC to become ITV's political editor in 2015.


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