ITVX warned viewers of the episode that it contained ‘several references to witchcraft’

ITV has been mocked for their “ridiculous” decision to place a trigger warning on a 20-year-old episode of their hit series Midsomer Murders, as the broadcaster was warned of the “dangers” of adding such disclaimers.

ITVX, the company’s streaming service, warned viewers of the 2004 episode The Fisher King that it contains “several references to witchcraft”.

In the episode of the much-loved crime drama, which first graced British screens in 1997, residents of a fictional English town are plagued by a haunted Celtic sword, which was uncovered during an archaeological dig.

Reacting to the decision on GB News, Director of the Popular Conservatives Mark Littlewood said the move by the broadcaster is “risible”, questioning who the trigger warning is meant to inform.

Littlewood fumed: “It’s risible, this is ludicrous. Who is this warning supposed to inform? Who’s it supposed to protect? I literally can’t think of a single human being who would find that warning useful.

“Is it that the witch community or the wizard community might tune in to a particular episode of Midsomer Murders, click it on their on stream servicing and think, oh no, wait, I don’t think I want to watch this one, it could be way too offensive?”

Admitting that he is “not opposed” to many other trigger warnings on media, Littlewood expressed his concern for the over-saturation of such cautions, warning it may become too “patronising”.

Littlewood explained: “I’m not against all warnings, I think sometimes they can send a general signal – is something family viewing or is it graphic violence with an 18 certificate?

“But I’m afraid I think what we’ve got into here is a concern or a worry on virtually everything that is broadcast that someone, somewhere might take offence.

“That everybody is vulnerable and may be disturbed and that’s ridiculous, it’s patronising, and it’s potentially quite dangerous.”