BBC's Doctor Foster is accused of promoting an 'irresponsible' message on alcohol as characters binge drink

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The hit BBC drama Doctor Foster has been accused of promoting an 'irresponsible' message about drinking.

The show's stars are said to binge-drink and use alcohol - particularly wine - as a crutch to get over problems.

Many of them use large glasses and in at least one scene the lead character swigs from a bottle. 

In one controversial moment, lead character Gemma Foster, a GP played by Suranne Jones, is seen drinking with her 15-year-old son's friend in his home

Leading alcohol organisations have joined viewers in criticising how wine features prominently in a number of scenes, including tense confrontations, conversations in the street and solitary evenings in.

In one particularly controversial moment, lead character Gemma Foster, a GP played by Suranne Jones, was seen drinking with her 15-year-old son's friend in his home.

Whilst Gemma is shown to be extremely troubled by her ongoing feud with ex-husband Simon, her binge-drinking habits have raised concerns.

Helena Conibear, director of The Alcohol Education Trust, said she was worried by the size of the wine glasses used in the show, the absence of food during many drinking sessions and the fact characters drink alone.

She said: 'Portraying alcohol as a way to cope with stress and pressure is worrying as is the image of drinking on your own – both these behaviours can lead to problematic patterns of drinking and that one glass turning into two or three. 

'The glasses shown are often huge too and could be holding 250 ml of wine, that's a third of a bottle in one glass. As both men and women we're advised not to drink more than 14 units a week – one of those glasses would hold three units! 

While Gemma (right) is shown to be extremely troubled by her feud with ex-husband Simon (not pictured), her binge-drinking habits have raised concerns

'Alcohol is being shown as a crutch and a go-to in times of stress, and that maybe the point they're trying to show, that this isn't healthy. We would be much happier if drinking was shown with good food, in company and with a glass of water on the side – i.e. sip and savour rather than glug and chug. 

'A lot of younger teenagers watch Dr Foster and we really need to think about the kind of image we're portraying of professional adults in positions of responsibility and how they unwind and destress.'

Meanwhile Dr Sarah Jarvis, medical adviser to Drinkaware, said: 'I am very sad to see a prime-time drama effectively sending out the message that it's not possible to enjoy a social situation without alcohol being involved…this sort of portrayal normalises daily drinking, with all the risks this entails.'

'While dramas may not have a public health remit, they are hugely influential and I would love to see them sending out a more responsible message. There are lots of ways of doing this, such as showing enjoyable social situations where alcohol is not involved, only drinking with food, having a free supply of non-alcoholic drinks available.'

Several viewers have also commented on the issue on social media, with one writing on Twitter: 'Gemma why are you drinking wine with your son's best friend?! #DoctorFoster'

Another wrote: 'I wonder how much white wine they get through, filming a series of #DoctorFoster?' 

In some scenes, characters are seen holding a bottle glasses which can fit 250ml of wine - a third of a bottle of wine

A third commented: '#DoctorFoster soooo tired of all the wine guzzling. It's like an ad for wine glasses...'

The current series, which is written by Mike Bartlett and stars Miss Jones alongside Bertie Carvel as Simon, has attracted an average audience of 6million people, with the finale airing next Tuesday.

The most recent episode finished with a gripping car scene which left open the possibility that Gemma had run over Simon in her car.

The BBC declined to comment on the story.

Vanessa Hebditch, director of British Liver Trust, said: 'Many people are unaware of the risk factors that cause liver disease. Drinking alone, frequently or using alcohol to relieve stress, as the character Gemma Foster appears to be doing, is dangerous and can lead to serious health problems including liver disease.

'Dramas often exaggerate trends that are happening in society and this can normalise behaviours for all of us watching. Many of us in the UK are now drinking at levels that may cause liver problems and we need to get the message across that everyone should have two or three consecutive days off alcohol every week.'