View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
September 29, 2005updated 22 Nov 2022 4:56pm

BBC too quick to hire celebs

By Press Gazette

I agree with Carol Sarler’s piece, which berates newspapers for
hiring celebrity columnists instead of giving opportunities to its own
writers (Press Gazette, 2 September), but this practice extends to
other media.

Radio 1 has awarded television celebrities their own radio shows with no prior experience on the airwaves.

Vernon
Kaye, Jamie Theakston and Dermot O’Leary have all landed plum jobs for
no other reason that I can work out than that they have impressed while
appearing on television.

Similarly, Jonathan Ross inherited Barry
Norman’s seat as BBC One’s film critic simply because he is a household
name. Mark Kermode, a tried and tested critic at the BBC, would have
been a far smarter choice.

Echoing David Mannion’s recent
comments, the BBC has vast resources of talent at its disposal. Why is
it so afraid to invest in it?

Henry Gray London, W14

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network