WOKE ITV bosses have been mocked for slapping a warning on a Midsomer Murders episode — as it contains “witchcraft”.
The trigger alert was added to a 2004 instalment of the crime drama — where hundreds of characters have been killed over multiple series.
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In the potentially offending episode, called The Fisher King, residents of the fictional Causton town are terrorised by an apparently haunted Celtic sword found during an archaeological dig.
The warning on streaming service ITVX reads: “Contains several references to witchcraft.”
It also pops up at the start of the episode.
The Fisher King, starring veteran actor John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby sees four characters killed off. It also features a talk about Arthurian legends referencing the mythical spear.
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Viewers ridiculed “nanny state” execs. One asked: “If witchcraft is now triggering, how will anyone at ITV deal with Halloween?”
It comes three months after bosses added a warning for “violence and crime scene images” to other episodes of the long-running drama, which has seen more than 380 characters killed off in 24 seasons.
It baffled former star Anton Lesser who said: “I understand the good intentions of broadcasters who take care to warn of effects like flashing images.
“But I’m surprised something like Midsomer Murders warrants a warning.”
The show first aired in 1997, featuring many stars over the years including Jason Hughes as Det Sgt Ben Jones.
A string of vintage series now have content warnings, including BBC sitcom Terry and June for “discriminatory language”.
An ITVX spokeswoman said: “We regularly review our catalogue to ensure right guidance is in place.”
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