That’s Britain (BBC1): Back in the 1970s and 80s a much-loved consumer-affairs programme thrilled millions each Sunday, with an oddball selection of reporters and presenters helping to right injustices suffered by everyday folk in the UK.

Hosted by a chiffon-wearing, tooth-licking Esther Rantzen, That’s Life fell from favour and disappeared from our screens. But it seems auntie Beeb has dug deep – into its vaults, not the pockets – and come up with a ‘new’ champion for the general public.

Oh come on. Who are they kidding? The show even borrows half its title from the superior forefather. And with half a former title comes a half-hearted approach to ‘things that bother us most today’.

Don’t get me wrong. The programme has some good points, but it’s all a bit smug in its delivery.

Presented by Nick Knowles and Julia Bradbury, That’s Britain sets about to inform viewers – with help from a team of roving reporters – on matters that are of concern to us all. And no live 21st Century programme would be the same without viewer interaction. In this case, the public is invited to text in the thing that gets them most infuriated.

A giant screen behind Knowles and Bradbury – aka Mr and Mrs Smug – contained the most popular responses to the live poll.

“As the show goes on, we will update the wall and see what is bothering you all out there tonight,” said Knowles.

Contenders included, junk mail and littering, with the number of votes translating to the prominence on ‘The Wall’. An early favourite was tube strikes. Tube strikes? Have we got a tube system around here?

For those who missed the ‘groundbreaking’ voice of the people, the postal service is partly paid for by the floods of junk mail we endure; suitcases go on a mini adventure of their own behind the scenes at airports; litter police can hand out on-the-spot fines to unsuspecting shoppers and potholes are a nuisance.

Some light relief came in the form of Shaun ‘I’m not Barry from EastEnders’ Williamson’s report on the loss of the bus conductor. Our chubby friend got to spend the day greeting and helping the public onboard a double decker. And after Barry had been Blakey for the day, sorry, I mean after Shaun had been Blakey for the day, the public got to decide if it would be willing to pay more money to travel on buses with clippies. A massive 81 per cent texted in to say they would. Bless ‘em. Really though? Probably not.

The studio audience reacted most to the round-up of ‘council spends’, with particular hilarity poked at concrete balls outside the Staffordshire County Council offices. The 71 decorative spheres, reportedly costing £40,000, are allegedly not just pleasant on the eye. They are, in fact, a security measure, protecting the perimeter of the office block. Yeah, right.

And so it’s back to the giant screen. As the programme drew to a close ‘The Wall’ was updated, and what words dominated the poll? Dog poo. Yes, that’s right, dog poo.

The presenters looked a bit uncomfortable – perhaps they felt this was more of a review of the show than a bugbear?

What’s really irritating Britain today? Bus lanes? Junk mail? Or perhaps goody two-shoe programmes that say very little in an hour long show, often in a patronising manner? Come back Esther – and don’t forget your amusing shaped vegetables.

By Paul Naylor