Time To Get Over It

Apparently fewer than 20 people complained about the Diana documentary that apparently showed her dying. Hardly surprising. I'd imagine that most people who wanted to complain about the documentary managed to get their hysterical wailings out of the way before the programme was even broadcast.

Of course it was in poor taste of Channel Four to broadcast the images. Of course it was sensationalist. But what more could you expect from Channel Four? The station that broadcasts Big Brother. The station that broadcast the rapes, murders and wifebeating of Brookside Close for 21 years. And the station that broadcasts such great self help shows such as It's Me or the Dog and the execrable You Are What You Eat.

But Channel Four is simply responding to public demand when it comes to stuff like the Diana documentary. Ultimately there is a very simple way to stop Channel Four - and other elements of the media - continually revisiting that car accident ten years ago. And that is that we all lose our interest in hearing more and more about the dead Princess.

It was arguably a personal tragedy ten years ago - a personal tragedy that somehow was elevated to the level of a national tragedy. Three people died in that car, the nation only mourned the one. Then, and now, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. There was something undignified about the way the nation fell apart in the aftermath of the death of one woman. But ten years on, we really, really, really should have moved on. An individual who is still wrapped up in the death of someone ten years ago would be a candidate for some sort of mental therapy. Diana died nearly a decade ago. It is time for the country to get over it.

The media will let Diana rest in peace when we all learn to let Diana rest in piece.