Our Big Fat Gypsy Fightback

It was business as usual on TV last night as the latest instalment of 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' pulled in millions of viewers to watch what Channel 4 calls a 'cutting edge' view of Gypsy and Traveller life.

But while the show stokes interest in most of the country's living rooms, in Gypsy and Traveller homes it has fuelled disappointment at its narrow portrayal of our cultures.

Dee, who lives in Surrey, is among those whose work centres on forging a positive way forward for young people from all Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

And on yesterday's Daybreak programme, Dee made the case for positivity rather than stereotyping as the means to move forward.

"I feel that there are so many men and women in the Romany and Irish Traveller communities that offer positive high standards and morals for their family, including overseeing their children's education", said Dee.

"This Channel 4 programme has tried to portray us in a way that discriminates against both our communities".

Jake Bowers, Romany journalist and editor of Travellers' Times Online, then joined Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley on Daybreak to discuss the big fat Gypsy rage that's spreading across the country.

WATCH THE SHOW HERE: http://www.itv.com/daybreak/entertainment/tv/gypsyweddings/

-Damian Le Bas, Education Editor

ITV's Michelle Morrison watching 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' in Surrey with the Cooper family, their friends and relations

Travellers' Times Online editor Jake Bowers explains to the ITV audience why Gypsies and Travellers of all backgrounds are up in arms about the series

Romany woman Dee Cooper makes the case for a balanced portrayal of Gypsy and Traveller life that focusses on the many positive role models out there in our communities