2,200 complaints after Thatcher 'golliwog' sacking
The BBC has received more than 2,200 complaints over its decision to axe Carol Thatcher from a flagship show for referring to a tennis player as a “golliwog”, the corporation confirmed today.
A BBC spokeswoman also said 60 calls and emails had been received backing its decision.
The former UK prime minister’s daughter was dropped as a contributor to the One Show on Tuesday night after talks with corporation bosses.
BBC1 controller Jay Hunt said the comment was made in the green room in front of presenter Adrian Chiles, comedian Jo Brand and a senior charity worker from Comic Relief.
The corporation has been accused of overreacting to a “private” comment, but Ms Hunt firmly rejected that view and told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that serious offence had been caused.
“What Carol decides to say in the privacy of her own home or in a private conversation with friends is one thing. What she says in a green room space when there are 12 people in her capacity as a roving reporter for the One Show is a rather different thing.
“On this occasion, her using this phrase and it being overheard and having caused offence to a number of people was totally inappropriate.
“It was deemed inappropriate in the circumstances for her to continue to work on a show that prides itself not just on the diversity of its production team but on the range of its coverage across the country. I think everybody will be able to see that that is not an appropriate place for her to work.”
