A viral map viewed by over 10 million people on social media that shows a banana-shaped corridor of ‘good’ London has been rubbished by Rightmove, which says most of the in-demand areas are outside its borders or, as the portal puts it, peel.

The map went viral when an Israeli property journalist who often likes to portray Britain as ‘broken’ made the surprising assertion that anywhere outside the banana-shaped area (main image) is ‘horrible these days and best avoided’.

Many people on social media who live in the capital and beyond have criticised Paul Sadka’s comments and maps for being inaccurate – to a significant extent because he doesn’t live in London, but also because of his selective use of data.

The Times has also researched and to an extent scotched his claims, pointing out that crime outside the ‘plantain paradise’ has barely increased at all in recent years, although schools – given the wealthy nature of the postcodes within the area – are worse outside it.

Rightmove has also pitched in, pointing  out that its data reveals eight of the ten most in-demand areas of London are not within the banana, with only Islington and Battersea making the yellow skinned grade.

Viral map

Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, adds, “While the viral banana map has captured imaginations, our recent data shows that buyers are drawn to areas outside its curve.

“Affordability is a key driver, with many of the most in-demand locations offering better value than the London average.

“It’s a reminder that buyer interest doesn’t always follow the trend, it follows the opportunity.”