Olympic swimming champion condemns BBC over offensive remark
November 3, 2009
Olympic swimming star Rebecca Adlington has sent a letter to the BBC demanding to know why the corporation was being so lenient towards a comedian who made an offensive joke about her appearance on one of the channels comedy shows.
Comedian Frankie Boyle said that Adlington’s appearance was like someone looking at themselves in the reflection on the back of a spoon on topical gameshow Mock The Week. Although the BBC Trust’s Editorial Standards Committee ruled that the comments were inappropriate and offensive Boyle has so far refused to apologise. Adlington is now demanding to know why the comedian was not punished. She suggests that Boyle should at least have been suspended from appearing on BBC shows for a time. Boyle has since left Mock The Week and is vocal in his condemnation of the BBC’s programming. He has accused the channel of producing little more than property and cookery programmes.
Boyles jibe received a total of seventy-five complaints from viewers. Adlington’s mother has said that the remarks have left a lasting impression on her daughter’s self confidence. She went on to point out that the furor surrounding the comment seems to have done little more than publicise the gameshow and keep Frankie Boyles name in the media.
The BBC Trust has confirmed that they have received Adlington’s letter stating that she thinks the comedian got away with a slap on the wrist but points out that they are not planning to re open any investigation into the remark.
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