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Clare Balding
BBC Sports presenter Clare Balding has made an official
complaint to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) over an article which
mocked her sexuality in The Sunday Times.
Last week columnist AA Gill reviewed her new show Britain By Bike.
UK feminist website thefword.org.uk reports that Gill said of
Balding’s programme: "Some time ago, I made a cheap and frankly unnecessary
joke about Clare Balding looking like a big lesbian.
"And afterwards somebody tugged my sleeve to point out that she is a big
lesbian, and I felt foolish and guilty. So I’d like to take this opportunity
to apologise. Sorry."
"Now back to the dyke on a bike, puffing up the nooks and
crannies at the bottom end of the nation..."
39-year-old Balding took to her Twitter account to highlight Gill's
comments, saying: "I don't mind being referred to as a lesbian. I am, for
God's Sake, but don't use it as a stick to beat me with."
"It has so far crossed the line. I usually just put up with it, don't want
to cause a fuss etc. But this affects more than just me."
A PCC spokesperson confirmed the organisation had received a complaint and
was now "considering" it.
The spokesperson said: "We've received a complaint, which has been made
under Clause 12 of the editors' code of practice. This will now be
considered."
A Sunday Times spokeswoman confirmed the PCC had been in touch, but declined
to comment further.
Balding revealed she had written to the newspaper's editor John Witherow,
receiving what she said was an unsatisfactory reply.
Witherow wrote: "Some members of the gay community need to stop regarding
themselves as having a special victim status and behave like any other
sensible group that is accepted by society.
It added: "Not having a privileged status means, of course, one must accept
occasionally being the butt of jokes."
July
30
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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Annie Nightingale Celebrations
On Thursday September 9, BBC Radio 1 will celebrate legendary
DJ Annie Nightingale's four decades at the station with a night of
programmes dedicated to her broadcasting career.
Since becoming Radio 1's first female DJ in 1970, Nightingale has been at
the forefront of new and ground-breaking music in the UK, with an ability to
move with the times and appeal to new audiences throughout the years.
Along with her status as Radio 1's longest-serving presenter, Annie's career
has taken her on the road with some of the most iconic bands in history,
including The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Police. She continues to
travel all over the world to DJ at international clubs and festivals and is
known as Queen of the Breaks for her championing of breaks, bass, beats and
mixes in her current weekly Radio 1 show and beyond.
July
30
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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Green Light For
Coronation Street Disaster
Greater Manchester Transport have finally given ITV the
thumbs for a tram disaster storyline on Coronation Street.
Five years ago they disapproved a storyline involving a tram
crashing into the Rovers Return. At the time it was considered bad PR.
The carnage is due to take place later in the year to coincide with Corrie's
50th anniversary. Several characters will be killed, just who is still to be
revealed.
An ITV spokesman said: "We are delighted to be working closely with GMPTE
[Greater Manchester Transport] on this storyline. We have assured them that
it will be made clear that the crash is in no way the fault of the tram or
the driver and they have been very helpful with our research."
It is looking like the viaduct is going to collapse, sending
the tram onto the cobbles.
Susan Wildman from GMPTE said: "ITV have assured us that the incident which
takes place will not be the fault of either the tram system or the tram
itself.
"Having received those assurances, we are pleased to be able to help ITV
with their research and preparations for what I am sure will be a very
dramatic storyline during Coronation Street's 50th anniversary year."
July
30
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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New Faces For E20
The second series of the BBC's online soap EastEnders: E20
hits screens in September and welcomes four new faces to the Square.
Series one of the online soap had over 3.3 million requests across the
EastEnders website, BBC iPlayer and BBC Red Button. It has since been shown
on BBC Three and received over a million viewers.
The 10-part series will transmit via the EastEnders website (running time 14
minutes each) followed by a weekly omnibus on BBC Three.
Bryan Kirkwood, executive producer of EastEnders: E20, said: "EastEnders:
E20 made a real impact the first time round and this second series is set to
do the same.
"The show is a fantastic platform for young, aspiring writers and actors to
set the agenda. The audience are in for a real treat as these four exciting
new characters will arrive in Albert Square with a bang."
John Yorke, executive producer of EastEnders: E20, said: "I'm really proud
of the fact that E20 has pioneered the training of aspiring writers and
actors from different backgrounds. It's made big steps in getting a whole
new generation into the industry – and a whole new audience to the internet
and television, too."
The show welcomes four brand-new faces to the Square: Naz (Emaa Hussen),
Stevie (Amanda Fairbank-Hynes), Asher (Heshima Thompson) and Sol (Tosin
Cole).
July
30
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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