‘Recession TV’ is a bit of a buzzword in television circles at the minute, with execs and producers looking to make shows that recreate some imagined golden period from the programmes of yesteryear. They invariably fail… but wait! Here comes Married Single Other (ITV1, Monday, 1 March, 9pm)

Dionne Warwick sang “What the world needs now, is love sweet love.” In fairness, she said that years ago, making any current claim on it stupid… but seeing as I’m a stupid idiot who likes a tenuous link to something, I’ll use it. That’s because, currently, it feels like everyone is in need of a cuddle.

So really then, What The World Needs Now Is A Cuddle Shaped Sitcom.

Married Single Other is exactly that. It’s a show for a new crop of thirtysomethings… previous examples of this type of show being Cold Feet and of course, Thirtysomethings. It’s aspirational TV where everything is bathed in a golden hue and kisses in the rain are something to be treasured (when we all know that British kisses in the rain are rubbish because the rain is cold and makes everyone miserable).

There’s the obligatory to-ing and fro-ing of the romcom, with couples making us earn their love, presumably to ensure that we all yell in our minds “OH GET ON WITH IT!”. Of course, we secretly love shouting this and having a big sigh of relief when the objects of our TV affection finally have a big kiss to some stirring indie music.

Married Single Other ticks all the boxes and is so familiar that reviewing it is almost pointless. However, it is worth doffing a cap to the show.

Sure, in places it’s clunky as hell and occasionally, the character seems a bit cold… but for the most part, it’s a daft, gooey romp filled with nice little asides to cut through the glaze of schmaltz.

Her Who Played Dawn In The Office, once again, Plays Dawn From The Office But With A Different Name… which of course, is great. Someone should give her a decent sized role in a Tony Curtis flick if they haven’t already. She’s even got the fashionable Ricky Gervais seal of approval.

So yeah. You have seen all this before. And it’s nice and familiar like one of those old hospital blankets that have the pretend silky bit on the top.