THE topic of television hoaxes is very much in the spotlight this week after the startling revelation that top TV producers knowingly recruited actors to appear on the popular Vanesssa show.

There seems to be a definite trend appearing . . . Can we believe everything we see or hear on television, or should we just take everything on TV with a pinch of salt?

Reporter Shaun Gibbons and photographer Simon Bolton went out and about to see what the people of Chorley thought about the current trend hitting our TV screens . . .

Paulette Smith, 36, believes television programmes which use actors to play real-life people could be misleading viewers.

She said: "I watch some of these shows quite regularly, and I think it's awful that some of these shows use actors.

"It's definitely misleading to the viewer when this sort of thing happens."

Mike Saunders, also thinks it's misleading for chat-shows to use actors without letting the viewers know.

Mike said: "To tell you the truth I don't really watch these chat-shows, but I do watch television documentaries from time to time.

"I feel that the viewer is having the wool pulled over their eyes. If a TV programme is put out as a real show, then no actors should be used."

David Jennians, 56, thinks it is totally unfair for TV producers to use actors to play real-life people in talk-shows.

He said: "I think it's absolutely outrageous. I bet a lot of people get taken in by these so-called programmes.

"I don't watch talk-shows myself, but I think it is not right to use actors in this way - especially when these programmes are classed as representing real-life subjects and people."

Jim Whiteside, 67, from Leyland, does watch talk-shows on television and believes that the people who watch them are being conned.

He said: "Yes I do watch these programmes, because they are always on whenever you switch the TV on!

"I think it's awful that TV programmes use actors. I mean, it's not fair. I feel sorry for the people who watch these programmes and take them seriously. In my opinion, it shouldn't be allowed to happen."

Gillian Dootson, from Kirkstall Drive, Chorley, thinks it is all misleading.

She said: "These types of fake programmes are unfair. I watch them sometimes and it seems to me to be totally misleading.

"But, I suppose these morning talk-shows are competing with American shows, so they have to make the topics more and more stupid, therefore they probably need actors because they can't find real people."

Peter Hodson, 48, from Portsmouth Drive, Chorley, thinks it's a good idea to have actors playing real-life people on talk-shows.

He said: "I think it's a good idea to have actors on these shows. After all, it's just a bit of fun isn't it. People shouldn't take them so seriously.

"My favourite is The Jerry Springer Show. I think it's great. It's just a bit of fun after all."

ZIf you have any opinions on the topic of TV hoaxes, then why not drop us a line? Write to the News Desk, Chorley Citizen, 45-47 Pall Mall, Chorley, PR7 3LT.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.