BBC’s The Repair Shop leaves out any mention of Jews from story on the Kindertransport

Asked about the omission, the independent company which made the programme for the BBC, Ricochet, told the JC they thought Landau’s Jewish identity was “implicit”.

The makers said they will now alter the programme on BBC iPlayer to state explicitly that Landau and the Kindertransport refugees were forced to escape Europe because they were Jewish.

The cello had been donated by Landau to Denville Hall, a retirement home for professionals from the theatrical world.

Born in Berlin in 1924, Landau arrived in the UK in March 1939 aged 14 on the Kindertransport fleeing Nazi Europe.

Thirty-one members of his family, including his parents, perished in Bergen-Belsen, Dachau and Auschwitz. He arrived alone in London holding the pieces of his cello, which had been smashed en route by the Gestapo.

In the UK, Landau became a prolific theatre impresario, bringing to life novels on the West End stage and whose collaborations included the Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, and Margaret Thatcher’s playwright and speechwriter, Sir Ronald Millar. He died on February 16, 2011, aged 86.

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A spokesperson for Richochet, producers of The Repair Shop, said: “We were honoured to share the history of Martin Landau’s cello and play a small part in telling an important and emotive story with contemporary resonance.

“We felt that Martin’s story was told clearly and succinctly, and we believed the fact that he was Jewish was implicit in the story.

“To avoid any doubt in future viewings there will be a clarification on BBC iPlayer.”

Contemporary antisemitism expert Alex Hearn said that it was “strange that the Jewish identity of those who made up the kindertransport was not acknowledged when a quarter of the programme was about it”.

He added: “This sadly seems to be consistent with a pattern of Jews no longer named as the primary victims of the Holocaust. Their explanation that the Jewish identity was ‘implicit’ is inadequate. However, it is encouraging that they say they’ll be clarifying this on iPlayer.”

Helen Mirren has been approached for comment. The celebrated actress has portrayed several Jewish characters in film throughout her career, including Golda Meir, and has on numerous occasions expressed support and admiration for the Jewish people and for Israel.