Government sponsorship a ratings win

News that government departments are to sponsor TV programmes (MW January 28) has caused the Diary to ponder the possibilities.

An Army-backed game show would be a sure-fire winner. Working titles could include “What’s My Mine?”, “Give Us a Cruise”, or even “Every surface-to-air-missile counts”.

And if programme sponsorship is on the cards, the next step might see politicians starring as special guests. Will Peter Mandelson finally get his chance to legitimately phone-a-friend on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”? Might the friend in question, Geoffrey Robinson, be otherwise engaged presenting Better Homes? Or might Robinson be battling with Lord Irvine over Carol Smillie’s job on Changing Rooms ?

Suggestions for likely shows on a postcard please.