BBC Blue Peter blunder
p2pnet.net news:- Yesterday, the BBC ran a list of allegedly dodgy UK TV quiz shows. Its own Saturday Kitchen was also named but, “A BBC spokesman said it was a simple mistake and all phone profits went to charity”. So no worries.
Today, however, “The hosts of BBC children’s programme Blue Peter have apologised to viewers after the results of a competition were faked last November,” says the BBC.
As a p2pnet reader points out, “BBC Children’s controller Richard Deverell called the incident a ’serious error of judgement’.”
On 27 November, Blue Peter was raising money for children orphaned by Aids in Malawi, says the story, going on that an, “unavoidable technical difficulty” meant producers couldn’t access the callers’ details. So they found a stand-in.
The child, “was already in the studio because she had won a separate competition.,” says the story, adding, “I would like to apologise unequivocally to viewers, to all the children who took part in the competition,” Mr Deverell said. “We have already apologised directly to the child involved and her family for this incident.”
He called the faking of the competition an “exceptional incident” and said the person responsible had acted “in a panic” and, speaking to Radio Five Live, “refused to rule out the possibility that staff would be sacked over the incident”.
If you took part in the competition and you want to talk to someone about it, call 08000 565 363, says the BBC.
Also See:
allegedly dodgy – UK ‘Quiz Show’ scandal line-up, March 14, 2007
BBC – Blue Peter sorry over fake winner, March 14, 2007
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