Bectu Hits Out At BBC Offer

Bectu has criticised a 1% pay rise offer from the BBC, claiming it is an attempt by the Corporation to make its staff pay for "last year's bungled negotiations over the future level of the licence fee".

The union, along with the NUJ and Unite, had called for an increase of inflation plus 2% for its members working at the BBC. However, it said the BBC had described its 1% offer as "final" at a recent negotiating meeting.

The union said that it now intends to consult branches and chapels throughout the BBC and that it expects "strong opposition to the offer".

Gerry Morrissey, general secretary at Bectu and lead negotiator, said: "This is a clear attempt by the BBC to make staff pay for last year's bungled negotiations over the future level of the licence fee. We can't accept a further cut in living standards for members, when the BBC has already taken tens of millions of pounds out of staffing costs by cutting 4,000 jobs, and watering down pension rights."

In addition to the claim for inflation plus 2%, the unions had called for a minimum increase of £1,000 to help the "increasing number of BBC staff at the bottom of the pay scales who are struggling to make ends meet as inflation continues rising".

In an email to staff, BBC director of business operations Lucy Adams said the BBC is putting forward an "increase of 1% with a minimum increase of £400, which would be applied to everyone who is eligible". She described the unions calls for 2% plus inflation as "unrealistic in the current economic climate".  

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Doctor Who Star Discusses Departure

Doctor Who star Karen Gillan has been discussing her departure from the series.

The actress, who will depart the sci-fi drama midway through its seventh series, has already said that she will not return for cameo appearances.

Speaking to Collider, she said: "If I do something, I want to just do it. I just feel that it's a stronger impact, and I like to go with my instincts because it's more exciting."

Gillan said that she did not want to know the circumstances of her character Amy's exit until it was absolutely necessary. She said: "I wanted to keep it a surprise, for as long as possible. [To help] keep the excitement in there."

The Scottish actress also praised Doctor Who's Steven Moffat for writing such a "strong female" in Amy, saying: "A lot of stuff is clearly written from a male perspective and the women aren't quite as fleshed out as the guys.

"Whereas this character is really well-written. I just hope I get to do more of that."

Doctor Who will return to BBC One in the autumn.

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Big Brother Facebook Vote Criticised By Ofcom

Ofcom has criticised Channel 5's attempt to give fans of Big Brother the chance to be the first to use Facebook to vote, after a server crash meant the system was unavailable during the live final.

Channel 5 used the live final on 11 November to debut technology to allow viewers to buy votes using Facebook Credits - priced at 6.5p each with a minimum purchase of between 65p and 3.26 - a first for UK television.

However, at 21:50 during the live final, 10 minutes before the close of voting, the Big Brother Facebook app crashed leaving fans unable to cast votes and stuck with credits they had paid for which could not be used.

Channel 5 said the service was "temporarily overloaded due to exceptionally high traffic levels ... and some Facebook users were either unable to vote expediently or at all".

Ofcom was concerned that Channel 5 said it was "not liable" for repayment to viewers who had been affected as its terms and conditions stated that a technical failure was not its fault.

The media regulator said the terms and conditions do not override the broadcasting code, which "does not absolve [Channel 5] of its responsibilities to its viewers".

Channel 5 allowed the unregistered Facebook Credits votes to be refunded or used for the more recent Celebrity Big Brother series.

In addition Channel 5 said the capacity of its Big Brother Facebook application, run by "one of Europe's leading managed service providers", would be increased "seven fold" to cope with traffic peaks in the future.

Ofcom received seven complaints from viewers about the system and launched an investigation about whether Channel 5 had breached its broadcasting code, which states that the audience must not "materially mislead [viewers] about any broadcast competition or voting".

The media regulator assessed the voting information and determined that the problems with the service did not affect the overall outcome of the vote, but was nevertheless concerned at the failure.

"Channel 5 is responsible for ensuring that all of its audience voting systems are robust," the regulator said. "Ofcom was therefore concerned that the systems in place were not sufficiently robust to handle the increase in demand."

Ofcom said Channel 5 "misled" viewers as to the time they had to cast their vote "however unintentional".

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Doctor Who Star Joins Sex And The City

Former Doctor Who star Freema Agyeman has been cast in the upcoming Sex and the City prequel, The Carrie Diaries.

She will play Larissa in the new TV show, a character described as a "hip, cutting-edge editor/party girl" who works at Interview Magazine.

Larissa will act as something of a mentor for the young Carrie Bradshaw, who will be played by AnnaSophia Robb in the pilot episode for US network CW.

Agyeman was Tenth Doctor David Tennant's companion Martha Jones in Doctor Who from 2006 to 2010, and also appeared as the character in Torchwood in 2008.

She has since become a regular face on ITV1's Law & Order: UK, playing solicitor Alesha Phillips.

The Carrie Diaries is being developed by Gossip Girl producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and is an adaptation of author Candace Bushnell's 2010 novel, which pre-dates the events of Sex and the City.

Actors Austin Butler, Katie Findlay, Stefania Owen and Ellen Wong have also been cast in the new show.

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Channel 4 Death Row

A new Channel 4 documentary called Death Row, tells the story of crime and the death penalty.

Most people do not know when and how they will die. Death row inmates do. They are told the exact day, hour and minute of their death, including all the precise details, procedures and rituals of their execution.

The documentary series is written and directed by Werner Herzog, the feature filmmaker. Behind critically-acclaimed documentaries such as Grizzly Man and Cave of Forgotten Dreams.

Over the period of a year, Herzog has interviewed inmates in America as they await their death - one has now already been executed - and uncovers brutal stories of rape and murder. In the opening scene, he makes it clear that he believes no human being should be executed. Through Herzog's storytelling interview style, he states his aim is to understand what it is like to face the death penalty, not excuse them for their crimes. He looks into the backgrounds and circumstances of the inmates' crimes to find out their motivations, attitudes and sentiments at a time when they know their lives are ending.

The first portrait is of Hank Skinner who was sentenced to death 18 years ago for the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend and her two mentally impaired sons; he has had his execution scheduled three times. On one occasion, Skinner was only twenty minutes away from his death having been read his 'last rites' and eaten his final meal (consisting of fried chicken, boiled eggs, bacon cheeseburger, large fries and a big pitcher of chocolate milkshake).

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Stacey Solomon Talks To Loose Women

Stacey Solomon has said she deserves the barrage of criticism she has received for smoking while pregnant although admits she has found some 'a little bit harsh'.

The seven months pregnant star of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! spoke to ITV's Loose Women today after weekend pictures appeared in the national press of her smoking; despite the health risks that are known to be related to smoking during pregnancy.

Stacey, who phoned into the show live, said: "All of the responses are something that I deserve. I don't for one minute think I can sit here and say it is ok - so I can accept that kind of criticism and although it's not nice to hear I know that it's true [the health risks] and maybe that will give me more power to stop it and nip it in the bud."

"There's ups and downs to people being critical because it makes you think oh my God, I really must sort this out and you feel even more guilty than you already do because don't get me wrong I felt guilty before all of this came out. But there is a little a bit of you that thinks I love my children with all my heart so some of the comments are a little bit harsh."

The mum of one who's second baby is due on May 7 continued:

"It's absolutely devastating not just because I saw them [pictures] in the paper - it's something I'm not proud of and I'm really, really struggling with in general. It's not just because everyone knows now. It's something that I don't want to do and that I'm not happy doing so it's horrible."

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Bang Goes The Theory Returns

BBC One's popular science series Bang Goes the Theory is returning on Monday, March 12.

The series features insights into the behaviour of crowds and a pedal powered plane, to travel nightmares and DIY fuel.

In the first programme, the team will also be asking whether dogs really are clever and taking a look at the safety of Wifi.

To accompany the TV series the presenters will be in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Sheffield and Poole with the Bang Goes The Theory Live Roadshow.

Viewers can join members of the team for a new show as they recreate some of the best stunts from the TV series and test, stretch and explode scientific theories live on stage. Science superstar and Bang 'boffin' Dr Yan Wong will be joined by presenters from the TV show Jem Stansfield, Liz Bonnin and Dallas Campbell for the live tour.

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Actor Phillip Madoc Dies

Welsh actor Philip Madoc has died after a short illness, his agent said.

The 77-year-old had a long career on stage and screen including playing the title role in the BBC drama The Life and Times of David Lloyd George.

His agent Michael Hallet said he passed away this morning in hospital in Hertfordshire surrounded by his family.

Born in Merthyr Tydfil, he appeared in many classic television shows including Dad's Army, Doctor Who, Porridge and the detective series A Mind to Kill.

His extensive radio work included the title role in the BBC Radio 3 adaptation of King Lear and more recently he starred in S4C's new series The Cockle Farmer.

Mr Hallet said: "He will be greatly missed by all."

He added that Madoc had had a short illness since January.

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Ronnie Corbett Tells Of Priory Visit

Comic Ronnie Corbett has revealed he was sent to the Priory clinic to see a psychiatrist because of fears over his health.

The star, who received a CBE at Buckingham Palace last month, went to the south-west London clinic with his wife earlier this year after a series of health worries.

The 81-year-old, who had earlier had a knee operation, collapsed on New Year's Day during a family meal and was put on medication after being diagnosed with low blood pressure.

He told the Daily Mail: "My GP thought I was suffering from depression or anxiety. He wanted an expert opinion, so he said, 'I'm sending you to a very nice man who knows all the medication you're on.

"Anne came with me. We sat in this smart waiting room. The atmosphere of the Priory is everyone pretending that nothing's happening and everything's going to be all right."

The Two Ronnies star said his visit to the clinic, which is famous for treating celebrities with drink and drug problems, was over in 10 minutes when the psychiatrist declared he was fine.

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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X Factor Swearing Criticised

March 05 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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