Letter from the editor: i's relationship with its readers

One of the nicest things about i – unprecedented in my Fleet Street experience – is the newspaper’s relationship with its readers.

It has been a huge pleasure for me to experience that first-hand this week. Goodness, it keeps you on your toes, though. John Pratt wrote to say he wanted to know what I actually meant by calling Inspector Morse “sexy” and “thinking woman’s crumpet” the other day. Well, John, I’ve spent a lot of time this week trying to analyse precisely what it is I find attractive about John Thaw as Morse. I think it boils down to this: I don’t think I’ve ever heard him mention the word “football”.

Simon MacFadyen takes issue with my aversion to David Suchet as Poirot. I have obviously never seen Poirot, he says, arguing that the Belgian detective’s "leetle grey cells" are more than a match for the “Oxford grump”. I have seen Poirot, Simon, but while I love the Agatha Christie stories, I was put off by David Suchet’s moustache. It has the appearance of a black slug. Call me picky, but I don’t find that an attractive look.

Jenny Fish has a more serious issue on her mind. She wants to know to whom she should report any sightings of avian pox, which is spreading among Britain’s garden birds, and particularly great tits, as reported in i on Wednesday. Sightings of birds displaying symptoms of avian pox – warts or tumour-like growths, especially around the eyes and beak – should be reported to the RSPB Wildlife Enquiries Unit. You can phone them on 01767 693690 or report online at www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/ health/sickbirds/avianpox.aspx

Whether you’re watching birds, or watching the detectives, have a wonderful weekend!

Stefano Hatfield is away