Michael Winner’s comments have no effect, as I have the antidote from his own fair hands: a VHS copy of ‘Cool Mikado’, written and directed by him in 1962.

This cures all ills and displays his unique gifts. Its star, Frankie Howerd (if Wikipedia can be believed) described it as the worst film ever made.

From an opening high point, with American sailors singing to Bernie Winters that they are Gentlemen of Japan, it descends with the finesse of a runaway Thwaites dray horse into a morass of badly shot scenes backed by a garbled and often unintelligible dialogue and plot.

But perhaps I am unfair. I have a point of view and the right, as an ex-caterer, to criticise an ex-director, and vice-versa.

Michael Winner is nearly 75. He has had 72 years experience of feeding himself, and that’s it.

Sir Patrick Moore is twelve years older, and 13,000 meals ahead, so who is the expert?

At least the TV chefs will indicate why something is wrong, and sometimes a possible cure, instead of just chucking a brick at the stove.

Jeff Crook, WhalleyRange, Blackburn.