There was a discussion about Jennifer Saunders and smoking earlier in the week.
The Telegraph Health section had a picture of her with a cigarette. The headline read 'Did this picture of Jennifer Saunders smoking shock you?' and the feature consisted of two articles, one by Linda McDougall (yes), the other by Cindy Blake (no).
The point is that all three women have suffered from cancer, so it's a bit more complicated than the headline suggests, and I would recommend that you read McDougall's piece before condemning her.
Nevertheless, I was in fire-breathing tabloid mode when I discussed the subject on LBC. (I should add that I was driving to Edinburgh and had to pull off the motorway and do the interview from a Travelodge car park.)
After telling presenter Iain Dale that, no, I wasn't shocked by the picture, I added that I felt "dirty" even discussing it.
"It's none of my business, or yours, or anyone else's," I said. "This is a gross invasion of privacy."
Iain sounded a bit surprised because he responded by saying, "OK, let's move on ..."
The second story he wanted me to comment on was a report that Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital staff face sack if caught smoking in uniform.
(Have I mentioned I was born at St Thomas'? My uncle worked there which is why my mother had to travel 20 miles in the back of an ambulance before she could give birth.)
Anyway, according to the London Evening Standard, "Workers who flout the rules could face disciplinary action, and repeat offenders may be sacked."
I railed against that too. The problem with being interviewed by Iain, however, is that he and I tend to agree on most things so we end up sounding like a couple of grumpy old men in a pub.
Yesterday I was invited to discuss the Saunders' 'story' on BBC Humberside and Lincolnshire, this time with Linda McDougall.
We were joined by Dr Sean O'Connell who was there to defend a local initiative reported by the Yorkshire Post, 'Defiant smokers asked to sign waivers before routine surgery'.
This is the funny part.
Having been "shocked" by the picture of Saunders smoking, McDougall thought the Stop Before Your Op programme was "disgraceful".
I, on the other hand, didn't.
Frankly, I've read about far worse initiatives, like hospitals or surgeons refusing (or threatening to refuse) to operate until patients have given up smoking completely.
In this instance people have a choice: go on a quit smoking course prior to the operation (which may be delayed as a result) or say, "No, thanks, I'll keep smoking and I'll have the operation as soon as possible, if you please."
The programme doesn't deny anyone an operation. All they're being asked to do is sign a waiver in case there are any complications. I don't see a problem with that.
PS. The Sun asked me to comment on the Stop Before Your Op programme too. I gave them the same line – which surprised them, I think – and to the best of my knowledge they haven't run the story.
That's what happens when you're nice and conciliatory. It's not news!
PPS. McDougall had an interesting slant on the Jennifer Saunders picture that hadn't occurred to me.
If I understood her correctly she was implying that Saunders was effectively posing for the camera - that this was no paparazzi style photo of a celebrity caught off guard and that Saunders was sending people a message of some sort.
Personally I thought we were in danger of over-analysing the whole thing, but judge for yourself.