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Most older people are fed up with television sitcoms portraying them as grumpy or sweet. 

A survey published today by the charity Age Concern and the Independent Television Commission says that older people resent being seen as the Songs of Praise generation and feel under-represented on screen. 

Those in their 50s and early 60s had higher expectations than the over-70s, suggesting that in future elderly viewers would not be prepared simply to accept what was on offer. A sample of 3,364 adults found that older people had broad interests and viewing patterns which did not fit stereotypes. 

Forty per cent of adults, rising to 50 per cent of over-65s, wanted more older people on TV. Advertisers were also criticised. The charity said: "Within 25 years most of the adult population will be over 50." Programme makers must recognise demographic and social change.