A report into badly-behaving stars at the BBC has shed light on an extraordinary incident involving one of their A-list stars, and how senior managers failed to act accordingly
The report came in the wake of allegations against Huw Edwards
The BBC has vowed to crack down on the badly behaved “untouchables” still operating within its ranks. An explosive report, launched in the wake of the furore over disgraced former newsreader Huw Edwards, says there is “a minority of people” whose bad behaviour “is not addressed”.
And the damning review pointed to one example of an “untouchable…..called out for exceptionally inappropriate language.”
It says how a “senior manager was in the room” but was “perceived as deferring so as not to rock the boat.” Staff on the show in question were left furious. “Staff were impacted … there should have been zero tolerance and no nuance,” said one person working on the programme.
The review says how they heard of “examples of well-known names not being held to account for poor behaviour. Some names were repeated several times, others more infrequently.”
The review, from Change Associates and led by management consultant Grahame Russell, also slammed BBC bosses for not nipping bad behaviour in the bud.
It says: “We heard examples of on-air / on-screen presenters who are seen to be ‘difficult’ and who are ‘manmarked’ by BBC managers. The managers are aware of the presenters’ reputations and want to act as a buffer – to be on hand and provide feedback and reassurance in real-time. This is very different to addressing poor behaviour in the first place.”
The report adds of the badly-behaved stars in general: “Even though they are small in number, their behaviour creates large ripples which negatively impact the BBC’s culture and external reputation.” It concluded however that there wasn’t a “toxic” culture at the BBC.
BBC under fire: Huw Edwards complaint handled badly(Image: PA)
However it wasn’t just in front of the cameras that problems existed with the report stating there were also “untouchables who work behind the camera or microphone.”
It adds: “The perception was that senior management would turn an eye to poor behaviours when productions were award-winning or attracting large audiences.”
The report also hears from some of the on-air stars themselves, who told how there was a culture where BBC staff often pandered to them.
One A-lister said: “As the so-called talent, I’m aware that no one wants to upset me, people laugh at jokes, fuss around me, can’t do enough for me – it is false and unnecessary, and I can see how over time, some would come to expect it.” “I can call Tim [Davie, director general] right now, tell him about our conversation.”
The report questions whether producers can really “talk straight” with the talent due to the power imbalance. There were also question marks over who “manages these names.”
The report says: “We hear that this is exceptionally ambiguous – often people are appointed to shows or programmes by people very senior in the BBC hierarchy, with little involvement from the team on the programme until it’s a done deal. This leads to ambiguity about who really has the power to speak truth if something goes wrong.”
BBC Chair Dr Samir Shah yesterday vowed to crack down on the badly behaved names operating within the Corporation.
He told staff: “There is a minority of people whose behaviour is simply not acceptable. And there are still places where powerful individuals – on and off screen – can abuse that power to make life for their colleagues unbearable.”
Addressing the worst offenders directly, he said: “If you think you’re too big a star or too important to live by the values of this organisation, then not only are you wrong, but we will find you out.”
BBC Director General Tim Davie has opened up about report(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
The BBC has launched a refreshed code of conduct, with specific guidance for on-air presenters, and started the rollout of a new Call It Out campaign, where staff can challenge poor conduct.
They will also launch a resolving concerns helpline, introduce in-person inductions for all new joiners and conduct regular, targeted culture checks.
Shah said his first year in the position at the corporation had shown him a “different side” and one he “wasn’t expecting”, as he addressed a staff event at London’s Broadcasting House He added: “The report makes several recommendations that prioritise action over procedural change – and that is exactly right.
“It also addresses some deep-seated issues: for example, the need to make sure everyone can feel confident and not cowed about speaking up.” The report said there was evidence that both Jewish and Muslim staff members and freelancers are in fear “of speaking up, raising issues and being themselves at work”.
“Given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, this has been exacerbated, as they feel concerns have not been heard or acted on,” it said.
The BBC has been rocked by a string of allegations about BBC presenters in the last year alone. In January, the BBC apologised to staff who felt they could not speak up with concerns about Russell Brand’s behaviour because he was seen as “too influential”
Jermaine Jenas, who presented The One Show, was fired last summer following complaints about workplace conduct.
Sacked: Jermaine Jenas(Image: WireImage)
Gregg Wallace stepped aside as Masterchef co-host, while Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima were forced to leave Strictly Come Dancing. Di Prima was sacked after being accused of kicking Zara McDermott, while Pernice was accused of bullying Amanda Abbington. The BBC upheld some of complaints against Pernice, but cleared him of the most serious allegations.
BBC director-general Tim Davie welcomed the findings. He said: “This report represents an important moment for the BBC and the wider industry.
“It provides clear, practical recommendations that we are committed to implementing at pace. I’m grateful to everyone who took part and contributed.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the Government considers it “a moral imperative” that the BBC implement a plan of action “without delay”.
“There is no place for abuse or harassment in any workplace, and BBC staff alongside the public rightly expect the very highest standards from their national broadcaster,” she said.
Edwards was suspended on full pay in July 2023 over payments to an unnamed young person for explicit photographs. He resigned six months later amid calls for him to repay his salary from the period. Others have since come forward to complain about messages of a sexual or bullying nature.
The review heard from around 2,500 employees and freelancers, with representations from across the UK and 19 different countries around the world.
