Report: Soaps not realistic enough

Our favourite serials pride themselves on tackling gritty, real-life subjects such as rape, alcoholism and domestic violence, but that hasn't stopped some of them coming under fire for not being realistic enough.

A new report has criticised some serials for not representing ethnic minorities, and creating stereotypical characters.

Neighbours was accused of being "all white", while Asian shopkeepers and single mums depicted in Coronation Street and EastEnders were also highlighted.

Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, told Digital Spy that broadcasters were "hideously white" when choosing programmes.

However, he added: "I don't think anybody here is saying British TV is racist."

"There are minority faces on TV, but it's that we're not quite getting it right, because we do not really have any minority decision makers.

"White people who live next door to Asian neighbours will see a representation of an ethnic minority family and they will say, 'I don't think so, it doesn't ring true with the people I know'."