|
Forward
Back
BBC Presenter Seeks Ageism
Compensation
A former presenter on the Countryfile programme is seeking
compensation from the BBC for alleged discrimination on the grounds of age
and sex.
Miriam O'Reilly, 52, was one of four women in their 40s and 50s told in
November 2008 they were being dropped from the rural affairs programme.
She is also claiming victimisation, in papers lodged at the London Central
employment tribunal offices.
The BBC said it would be "vigorously defending" the case.
A number of staff, including Juliet Morris and and Michaela Strachan, left
Countryfile when the programme was moved from Sunday morning to an early
evening slot.
Former Watchdog host Julia Bradbury, 36, and Matt Baker, 32, were among the
new presenters on the revamped programme.
The show's male presenters, Ben Fogle and Tom Heap, were also removed. But
Heap returned later in a reporting role while Fogle became a presenter on
Country Tracks, another nature programme in the old Countryfile timeslot.
O'Reilly's complaint follows rows over other claims that
programming decisions at the BBC have been motivated by age.
Award-winning journalist O'Reilly, who has presented Radio 4 programmes
Farming Today and File on 4, is being represented by solicitors Leigh Day
and Company.
The firm said she had also been "held responsible, without foundation" for
media stories that had accused the corporation of ageism and sexism and
"after 25 years with the BBC, work virtually dried up".
She is seeking compensation for loss of earnings and for injury to feeling.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "Any suggestion that the presenters of Countryfile
were replaced on the grounds of age is absolute nonsense.
"Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury were chosen based on their proven successful
track record as presenters and their extensive rural knowledge and keen
interest in countryside issues.
"Our programmes always strive to reflect a wide range of diversity as
possible to ensure we represent the BBC's audience.
"Kirsty Wark, Maxine Mawhinney and Martha Kearney regularly feature on BBC
television and radio shows as well as presenters including Gloria Hunniford,
Jennie Bond, Angela Rippon and Annie Nightingale."
19:20
February 02
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
Click
here to comment on this story
Let's
Dance For Sports Relief
The BBC today announced the first celebrity names lining up
for this year's Let's Dance For Sport Relief.
Katy Brand, Rufus Hound and Shappi Khorsandi represent the world of comedy,
alongside some of the nations favourite Grumpy Old Women, Jenny Eclair,
Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph and Susie Blake.
Also taking to the dance floor will be sporting figures such as footballers
Peter Shilton and Rodney Marsh and snooker legends Willie Thorne and Dennis
Taylor.
This year's contestants will be judged by an all-new panel that sees the
judging line-up change for all four shows. The panel of three will
predominantly feature faces from the world of comedy and celebrities who
performed last year.
Together the viewers and the panel will vote for their favourite dancers to
go through to the final.
Comedians confirmed so far are Jack Dee and Frank Skinner.
Claudia Winkleman and Steve Jones return to host the show which kicks off
February 20 on BBC One.
The series will run over four weeks, comprising three heats and culminating
in a spectacular final dance-off on Saturday, March 13.
Each week a celebrity act (a mix of solo dancers, duos and
groups) will perform a number of famous dances such as Single Ladies (Beyonce),
Greased Lightning (Grease), Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson), Bad Guys
(Bugsy Malone) and Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire).
They will work with a team of top choreographers to master the dance moves
and with a team of stylists to represent their dance icon's look.
Who goes through and who gets a chance to compete in the final will be down
to the public and the panel.
The final will see six celebrity acts dance with the hope of being crowned
the Let's Dance For Sport Relief Champion on Saturday 13 March.
Proceeds from the voting will go to Sport Relief.
Jo Wallace, Executive Editor, Comedy Entertainment, BBC, said: "Saturday
nights on the BBC are all about eventful, big, fun, family entertainment and
Let's Dance For Sport Relief absolutely fits that bill.
"Following on from the last series, the celebrity-packed show aims to have
audiences singing and dancing along in their living rooms and, no doubt, in
fits of laughter, as the stars of the show try to impress them and the
judges with their dance moves, all in the name of charity."
18:00
February 02
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
Click
here to comment on this story
Celebrity Come Dine Complaints
Channel 4's Celebrity Come Dine With Me has come under fire
after it was revealed some of the show’s stars are lent properties instead
of using their own homes.
Contestants including Christopher Biggins and Sherrie Hewson have appeared
in different episodes of the Channel 4 show using hired houses, although
viewers were led to believe they were seeing inside their own homes.
Producers claim it was done either for the convenience of filming schedules
or because the stars do not want their actual properties shown on TV.
However, they insist contestants on the non-celebrity version always use
their own homes.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: “For logistic and security reasons, some of the
celebrity dinner parties are filmed at a rented location rather than their
own homes.
“This is only the case for the celebrity spin-offs. Contributors for Come
Dine With Me host their dinners at their own homes.”
But many viewers were left unimpressed as part of their pleasure of the
programme comes from seeing inside celebrities’ house.
14:45
February 02
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
Click
here to comment on this story
Dancing On Ice Judge Apologises
Dancing on Ice judge Jason Gardiner has made an apology over
comments he made about Sharron Davies on Sunday night's show.
Gardiner sparked outrage after he said that the Olympian's brown outfit was
reminiscent of faecal matter.
He told her: "You look like faecal matter that won't flush, that goes around
and around but doesn't go anywhere."
More than 1500 viewers are reported to have complained to programme chiefs
about his comments.
Many angry fans were calling for Dancing on Ice bosses to remove Gardiner
from the judging panel of the ice dance contest.
The Aussie choreographer issued a statement to apologise for the remarks.
He said: "On [Sunday] night's Dancing on Ice I was critiquing the
performance of Sharron Davies and made some comments which may have caused
offence to her and the viewers.
"For this I'm sorry and would like to apologise."
09:45
February 02
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
Click
here to comment on this story
First
Airplay For Haiti Single
The all-star fund-raising single for the victims of the Haiti
earthquake will gets its first play on radio this morning.
Acts including Take That, Kylie Minogue, Rod Stewart, James Morrison,
Alexandra Burke, Cheryl Cole and Mariah Carey have contributed to a cover of
REM's Everbody Hurts.
Simon Cowell hastily arranged the record, which will be available to
download on February 7.
The song has been made available to all radio stations to play from 08:00.
More than 20 artists got involved in the recording, with many laying down
their vocals at studios around the world.
Money raised will go to The Sun's Helping Haiti appeal.
04:50
February 02
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
Click
here to comment on this story
Top
Forward
Back
|
