ITV series The Larkins has been caught out in an awkward blunder after eagle-eyed fans spotted a ‘disappointing’ mistake.
In the latest episode of the Darling Buds of May prequel, Pop Larkin, played by Bradley Walsh, and Ma Larkin, Joanne Scanlan, head to Margate for a weekend away.
The southern coastal town looks absolutely picturesque for their little mini break - with Ma even knitting a swimming costume for the occasion,
However, upon their arrival, viewers found something a little off, and then soon realised what it was.
Turns out that they weren’t in Margate at all - rather Broadstairs, the neighbouring town.
While it may have bypassed the untrained eye, British viewers, who have taken to seaside towns over the past two years due to lockdown, spotted the mistake immediately.
“That’s Broadstairs,” one fan noted on Twitter. “I was there in September - I recognise those beach huts.”
“Might as well have said they were in Broadstairs instead of Margate, it’s so much prettier,” added another.
Generally, the show is dividing viewers, who have developed a love for the original book and the previous series, which featured David Jason as Pop alongside stars including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Pam Ferris.
Reviews have called the efforts “clumsy” with viewers noting that it doesn’t live up to the original.
“Really disappointing. The errors are glaring, there’s little effort to follow the original book,” one wrote.
“It could’ve been a good remake, but it’s just ‘a’ programme that shouldn’t be called The Larkins.”
However, Mirror reviewer Ian Hyland believes it’s the kind of feel-good nostalgia we need right now.
“Not that it is stuck in the past. It has been given a modern feel, with plenty of diversity,” he said.
Calling the cast “carbon copies” of the original 1950s-based series, Ian added: As for Bradley, with his sideburns and quiff he may look like he’s playing Pop Larkin – The Alvin Stardust Years but he has clearly been touched by the cheeky spirit of David Jason.
“His best line was his defence of his new-fangled TV set: ‘Well, it lightens up the room doesn’t it?’
“Not always, Pop – but I think we’re good for the next five Sundays.”
The Larkins continues Sunday at 8pm on ITV.
