Sad to see that actress Emma Thompson, appearing on an American chat show, chose to amuse her audience by claiming that homosexuals were stoned and flogged on the Isle of Wight, where they also tortured and shot Irish and Scottish visitors.

Clearly talking with mouth engaged before brain Thompson’s comments have annoyed those responsible for marketing the island ,and those who live there, who have described them as “utter nonsense”, “extremely insulting” and indicative of a “warped sense of humour”, which could be Thompson’s choice for her sophisticated American audiences.

According to the Daily Telegraph Thompson, 51, “has a habit of speaking before she thinks”, positioning her as the thespian’s Gerald Ratner.

Meanwhile Daily Telegraph columnist Rowan Pelling has advised readers “never ask your hotel staff for sightseeing advice – they will be Poles and won’t have a clue”