Older people and the disabled were the most underrepresented minority groups, a study found

Ethnic minorities and gay people are significantly over-represented on British television, according to a study.

Black and ethnic minority (BAME) people account for about 13 per cent of the national workforce but secure 23 per cent of on-screen roles, the statistics show.

Over-representation is particularly stark on drama programmes, where ethnic minority actors win more than a quarter (26.4 per cent) of parts, as well as children’s TV (30.3 per cent) and comedies (24.9 per cent).

Lesbian, gay and bisexual people are nearly twice as likely to appear on television — where they take 11.9 per cent of roles — than would be expected by their estimated 6.4 per cent share of the national population.

The figures come after the head of BBC drama defended