The town centre manager has reacted furiously to comedienne Jo Brand labelling Streatham a “s**thole” on the comedy quiz show, Have I Got News For You.

In a 300 word complaint letter, Angelina Purcell, who works for Lambeth Council, said Ms Brand had “let herself down badly” over the remarks on Sunday night’s edition of the popular BBC One programme.

Ms Purcell said the “flippant comment” had caused “serious damage” to her efforts to transform Streatham’s image, adding it had made her job “ten times harder”.

She said: “You clearly do not understand the serious damage your flippant comment has had on our collective efforts to transform Streatham’s image.

“Together with the committed people of this town we continue to make strides in reversing the town’s economic decline.

“You’ve made my job ten times harder with you the use of one word and I’m sure the 60,000 residents and 3,000 businesses feel just as angry as I do.

“For us, you’ve let yourself down badly Jo and I hope you’ll think twice about doing something like this again.”

But a spokeswoman for the comedienne said there was no “serious intent” behind the remarks and apologised for any offence caused.

She said: “When Jo is on tour she says this about every place she goes to and she has never had any complaints yet. Most people have a sense of humour about where they live.

“It was just a throwaway remark which is no way was supposed to have any serious intent behind it.

“As for some people not finding it funny, we’ll take your word for it and she won’t ‘diss’ Streatham again in this way.

“We sincerely apologise for any offence that may have been caused.”

In September 2002, Streatham High Road was voted the ‘Worst Street in Britain’ in a poll organised by the BBC Today programme.

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