Dad’s Army star Ian Lavender says that it’s ‘sad’ that the classic sitcom is repeated so often – because it shows that too few decent new programmes are being made.

The actor, who played Private Pike, particularly criticised broadcasters for failing to make programmes for families.

Speaking at a reunion of surviving cast members, 62-year-old Lavender said: ‘It's rather sad that Dad's Army has to be repeated on the TV, although I'm delighted to see it of course.

‘But there's a need for it because they're not making programmes for the whole family to watch.

‘Sadly everything now is done for demographics, whether it's selling a chocolate bar or television. I'm not happy with making or selling anything for a particular group. Why cut people out? It's divisive. Why make things that only your children want?’

His comments come just a day after Father Ted writer Graham Linehan also decried the rise in ‘charmless’ comedies designed to appeal to a particular youth demographic.

Clive Dunn, 88, Frank Williams, 77, and Bill Pertwee, 81, were also at the reunion, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Dad's Army’s first episode.