Daniel Craig, Idris Elba and Emma Thompson are among the stars who have signed an open letter to a group of British broadcasters urging them to include more black, asian and minority ethnic (Bame) actors in their programmes.

A campaign to increase diversity on U.K. Tv has been led by British funnyman/actor Lenny Henry, and now a star-studded missive has been sent to companies including the Bbc and the ITv, Channel 4 and BSkyB networks.

The letter, which has also been signed by Homeland star David Harewood, filmmaker Richard Curtis, funnyman Terry Jones and actor Bill Nighy, urges the companies to set aside money to make more shows aimed at ethnic communities.

It reads, "Ring-fenced money works. It is about quality of programming, not quantity; money is only spent when quality projects are identified - not to fill a quota... To increase ethnic diversity we are asking you to look at what has worked before and extend it for Bame communities. Ring-fencing money would not only guarantee results, but also create a more stable space for Bame talent on screen and behind the camera."