Just quoted your post Col because of the Hammond mention
Honestly, I pay no attention to adverts now...I watch everything on TV with a delay so I can fast forward. Even when I happen to catch one, the 'family make up or colour or whether it's all men or all women - I fail to see how anyone can get wound up about that?
I see Dan's point about the 'behind closed doors talk' that produces all of this and what decisions they take thinking more about 'what might be least damaging' probably more than 'what's right for the product' - so I agree in as far as it's predominantly old, white, blokes sitting in a room thinking more about their pensions than the product and they just work from a list of ticks that's less likely to get them sacked.
The fallout from that is people then see offence in what's presented (the more extreme use it as further proof of how the UK has gone to the dogs and it definitely fuels the whites are under attack bollocks) - but again, why get offended about whether a black, white, asian, african, man, woman, trans, disabled, bald, blonde, brunette, red head is trying to sell you something 99% of the time you know you are never going to buy?
If they suddenly advertised blob pads with 4 white, villa fan blokes who were chanting 'you can add the claret yourself', I'm not going out and buying some for me! The same would apply regardless of the actors.
As for Hammond, I like her, genuine, presents well with a touch of the Chris Kamara's but it helps normalise her compared to the straight laced who do her job and never get ruffled or get the giggles.
Presenting is a talent, as is coming over as natural, genuine and not reading a script - and she's got that nailed. Holly's no different, other than being a fit white blonde girl - so she gets lauded for it, Hammond's just that lump.
Loose women is the same as Jeremy Kyle, and everything of that ilk - shock jock, sentimental, oh for the 60's, emotive clickbait but for TV.