Estimated? OK...

How many of them lament the end of the show? Did you ask all of them?

It was popular – of that there should be no doubt. And I would suggest that, for many viewers, it wasn't a racist thing, but about the musical performances, which were pretty good. And I'd equally suspect that for many viewers they didn't even realise the history of minstrel shows etc.

But on the popularity, it was also an era when there were just three TV channels.

Two channels mainly.

Even when BBC2 was introduced most TV sets couldn't receive it without at least a new aerial, our old TV didn't allow you to retune it so we didn't see BBC2 for ages, my dad just told us it was only for universities and posh people so we weren't that bothered until he found out about Pot Black

And out from under the bridge he crawls. So that appears to be 2 who lament it? Can you name any more?

Indeed. It was of its time and appealed to my parents generation, who themselves were into amateur dramatics and sung in the Church Choir. In truth, it was possibly 15 years past its sell by date before its 20 year run on TV, but I can't help wonder what a present day Producer would give to achieve those sort of weekly figures.

Selective! It goes on to say nothing to do with race ....one theory the idea was brought from Cornwall .... where people had experience of dark skinned Moors. So nothing to do with race!

Of course the dancers should be free to maintain their "tradition."

Of course the Council shouldn't wasting time and money on this, After all, I wonder how many people have been seriously injured at the event over the last 150 years or so?

[iDaily Mail[/i reporting, eh?

That has been added since I read that link this morning.