What an utter snob Mike Howard is. Almost 5,000 people paid to see Russell Watson's concert and had an evening of sheer entertainment.

By denigrating the whole show, no doubt Mike would like readers of The Argus to believe he is a cultured and educated arts correspondent.

However, his sour and patronising remarks about not only Russell Watson but also the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the remarkable 15-year-old New Zealand girl (who does have a name - Hayley Westenra) only serve to make him look a rather second-rate hack.

Mike Howard represents the very worst in local journalism - a critic who uses his position to sneer at the paying public. Thank goodness I did not have the misfortune to be sitting next to him.

At least we'll have Russell's talent to listen to long after Mike's career has finished.

-Nigel Cull, Hove