Last updated 15:03, Monday, 31 March 2008

Carlisle: not a bad place, all things considered. The weather leaves a lot to be desired, as does the lack of certain cultural amenities, but it’s friendly enough and the historic centre is beautiful.

Double act: Ernie Wise and Eric Morecambe enjoyed poking fun at Carlisle on television

So why does the Great Border City receive such a bad press when mentioned on TV?

The latest example came in the penultimate episode of BBC1 drama Ashes to Ashes.

The plot concerned a charity worker who had been mugged. His fundraising activities included sitting in a bath tub at various places around the country.

This prompted one of DCI Gene Hunt’s bosses to comment: “Imagine sitting out in a bath tub in Carlisle!”, with the city’s name spat out in disgust.

The entire series is actually a figment of DCI Alex Drake’s imagination, so it is she who regards Carlisle with such disdain. Is she relying on London stereotypes of the north or has she had a bad experience with a Botchergate kebab?

Ashes to Ashes is a sequel to Life on Mars. That programme’s star, John Simm, has his own reason to dislike Carlisle. As Reiver revealed in 2006, Simm bought his car in Carlisle while filming The Lakes in Cumbria in 1998.

Unfortunately the electrics didn’t work and he spent much of his time between takes phoning the garage in an attempt to have it repaired.

Reiver felt rather disillusioned when Carlisle was mentioned on one of his favourite programmes – Auf Wiedersehen Pet – in 2002. Dennis, played by Tim Healy, mentioned that Oz’s wife had moved to Carlisle. Neville, alias Kevin Whateley, wondered why: “I mean, have you ever been to Carlisle? I have!”

There was, however, some consolation for Cumbria’s hopes of a bumper tourist season when Neville’s secretary revealed that she lost her virginity in a tent at Windermere.

One of Carlisle’s most high-profile mentions came back in 1974, during the Christmas episode of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

Terry, played by James Bolam, declared that he couldn’t wait for Boxing Day, “when Newcastle play at Carlisle”.

That was during Carlisle’s only season – so far – in the top flight. Terry will doubtless have been pleased to see the Geordies win 2-1 in front of 25,000 at Brunton Park.

United also earned the city a mention in a Seventies episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show. Eric and Ernie were dressed as Roman soldiers.

“What news from Carlisle?” asked Ernie.

“They won 2-1,” replied Eric.

Eric Morecambe used to be a director of Luton Town. In the early 1970s Carlisle played at Luton. United’s chairman, EG Sheffield, arrived late for the match and knocked on the boardroom door. It was opened by Eric Morecambe himself.

Mr Sheffield muttered apologetically: “I left Carlisle very early this morning.”

Eric fixed him with a stare, shuffled his glasses, and replied: “I don’t blame you sir... I don’t blame you.”