Exclusive: BBC Breakfast boss Richard Frediani is facing further allegations of workplace bullying and misconduct, with senior presenter Naga Munchetty among those thought to have misgivings about his behavior.
Deadline revealed last month how Frediani was the subject of at least two misconduct complaints, including one from a woman who had her grievance upheld after claiming that the Breakfast editor physically shook her during a newsroom exchange last year.
Now, Deadline can report that concerns about Frediani’s conduct run deeper at the BBC, while he has also been accused of behaving inappropriately at his previous employer, ITN, where he was overseen by the same executives now running BBC News. The BBC declined to comment on individual Hr matters. Frediani’s position is that he was unaware of any complaints being made about his conduct at ITN.
After nine of Frediani’s colleagues spoke to Deadline for our original investigation,...
Deadline revealed last month how Frediani was the subject of at least two misconduct complaints, including one from a woman who had her grievance upheld after claiming that the Breakfast editor physically shook her during a newsroom exchange last year.
Now, Deadline can report that concerns about Frediani’s conduct run deeper at the BBC, while he has also been accused of behaving inappropriately at his previous employer, ITN, where he was overseen by the same executives now running BBC News. The BBC declined to comment on individual Hr matters. Frediani’s position is that he was unaware of any complaints being made about his conduct at ITN.
After nine of Frediani’s colleagues spoke to Deadline for our original investigation,...
- 4/9/2025
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Elan Closs Stephens, who has assumed charge as acting BBC chair following the resignation of Richard Sharp, has spoken out about her predecessor and the process of appointing her successor.
Sharp resigned in April over his role in a 2020 loan to then U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
On Wednesday, Closs Stephens’ first day as acting BBC chair, a Q&a with BBC presenter Tina Daheley was shared with the corporation’s staff.
When asked what she would say to people who feel the BBC’s reputation has been damaged by what happened with Richard Sharp, Closs Stephens said: “There’s no doubt that we’ve gone through a difficult period of time and I’m sure that staff and the board and Richard himself were unnerved by what happened over the past few months. All of us feel a debt of gratitude to Richard for the way in which...
Sharp resigned in April over his role in a 2020 loan to then U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
On Wednesday, Closs Stephens’ first day as acting BBC chair, a Q&a with BBC presenter Tina Daheley was shared with the corporation’s staff.
When asked what she would say to people who feel the BBC’s reputation has been damaged by what happened with Richard Sharp, Closs Stephens said: “There’s no doubt that we’ve gone through a difficult period of time and I’m sure that staff and the board and Richard himself were unnerved by what happened over the past few months. All of us feel a debt of gratitude to Richard for the way in which...
- 6/28/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC’s Acting Chair Elan Closs Stephens has said staff and the board at the UK network were “unnerved” by events of the past few months.
Cross’ predecessor, Richard Sharp, stood down after a report found he had breached appointment rules by failing to properly declare his role in securing former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson access to an £800,000 ($1M) loan.
A BBC probe cleared Sharp of any conflict of interest issues but noted he should have made “relevant declarations at the outset of his tenure” that he had attempted to introduce a Canadian businessman, Sam Blyth, to the UK’s Cabinet Secretary. Blyth went on help Johnson secure the loan.
“There’s no doubt that we’ve gone through a difficult period of time and I’m sure that staff and the Board and Richard himself were unnerved by what happened over the past few months,” said Closs...
Cross’ predecessor, Richard Sharp, stood down after a report found he had breached appointment rules by failing to properly declare his role in securing former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson access to an £800,000 ($1M) loan.
A BBC probe cleared Sharp of any conflict of interest issues but noted he should have made “relevant declarations at the outset of his tenure” that he had attempted to introduce a Canadian businessman, Sam Blyth, to the UK’s Cabinet Secretary. Blyth went on help Johnson secure the loan.
“There’s no doubt that we’ve gone through a difficult period of time and I’m sure that staff and the Board and Richard himself were unnerved by what happened over the past few months,” said Closs...
- 6/28/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Star broadcasters Rylan and Nick Grimshaw are among the first to react to the news that Ken Bruce is leaving his BBC Radio 2 show after 31 years.
Bruce said “the time is right” for him to move from the station, after presenting the mid-morning weekday show for more than three decades.
The 71-year-old, who is leaving in March, joined the corporation in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland presenter 45 years ago. His first regular slot on Radio 2 was The Saturday Late Show in 1984. The following year he fronted the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, taking over from Sir Terry Wogan.
Bruce said: “Nothing stays the same forever and I have decided the time is right for me to move on from Radio 2 when I reach the end of my current contract in March. It’s been a tremendously happy time for me: I’ve made many friends and worked with many wonderful colleagues.
Bruce said “the time is right” for him to move from the station, after presenting the mid-morning weekday show for more than three decades.
The 71-year-old, who is leaving in March, joined the corporation in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland presenter 45 years ago. His first regular slot on Radio 2 was The Saturday Late Show in 1984. The following year he fronted the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, taking over from Sir Terry Wogan.
Bruce said: “Nothing stays the same forever and I have decided the time is right for me to move on from Radio 2 when I reach the end of my current contract in March. It’s been a tremendously happy time for me: I’ve made many friends and worked with many wonderful colleagues.
- 1/17/2023
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
Exclusive: UK publicity firm Beaumont Communications, which reps clients including Martin Compston, Indira Varma, Emily Beecham and Laura Donnelly, is rebranding to Epilogue.
Tim Beaumont’s firm is making the move as it celebrates its tenth anniversary. Alongside the rebrand, the agency is also promoting two senior staffers. Elisa Christophe has been upped to Associate Director and Robbie Wilson to Senior Publicist.
Christophe will oversee Epilogue’s creative division alongside Beaumont, with clients also including Aaron Pierre, Rakie Ayola, Adeel Akhtar, Cosmo Jarvis, Martins Imhangbe, Polly Walker and Kathryn Drysdale.
Wilson’s lifestyle and entertainment client list includes Jamie Laing, Andrew Cooper, Tina Daheley, Sian Welby and Aldo Kane.
In addition to its existing divisions, Epilogue will open a division offering series publicity for podcasts. The company currently handles publicity for the Private Parts podcast hosted by Laing and Francis Boulle, Grilling hosted by chef and broadcaster Simon Rimmer, Mika Simmons’ The Happy Vagina,...
Tim Beaumont’s firm is making the move as it celebrates its tenth anniversary. Alongside the rebrand, the agency is also promoting two senior staffers. Elisa Christophe has been upped to Associate Director and Robbie Wilson to Senior Publicist.
Christophe will oversee Epilogue’s creative division alongside Beaumont, with clients also including Aaron Pierre, Rakie Ayola, Adeel Akhtar, Cosmo Jarvis, Martins Imhangbe, Polly Walker and Kathryn Drysdale.
Wilson’s lifestyle and entertainment client list includes Jamie Laing, Andrew Cooper, Tina Daheley, Sian Welby and Aldo Kane.
In addition to its existing divisions, Epilogue will open a division offering series publicity for podcasts. The company currently handles publicity for the Private Parts podcast hosted by Laing and Francis Boulle, Grilling hosted by chef and broadcaster Simon Rimmer, Mika Simmons’ The Happy Vagina,...
- 7/15/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC has played down the potency of its own output in a legal battle with presenter Samira Ahmed, who is seeking £693,245 in lost earnings at an employment tribunal over equal pay.
In the first case of its kind since the BBC was embroiled in a gender pay scandal, Ahmed is arguing that she was paid significantly less than male presenter Jeremy Vine for hosting similar shows.
Ahmed hosts Newswatch, a BBC News channel show in which viewer feedback on the BBC’s news coverage is discussed. She was paid £440 an episode when she joined the show in 2012, rising to £465 in 2015.
Vine hosted Points of View for a decade up to 2018 — another show inviting audience feedback on BBC programming. He was paid £3,000 an episode, a figure that was more than halved to £1,300 in 2018.
In a summary of the BBC’s defense, made available on Wednesday at the Central London Employment Tribunal,...
In the first case of its kind since the BBC was embroiled in a gender pay scandal, Ahmed is arguing that she was paid significantly less than male presenter Jeremy Vine for hosting similar shows.
Ahmed hosts Newswatch, a BBC News channel show in which viewer feedback on the BBC’s news coverage is discussed. She was paid £440 an episode when she joined the show in 2012, rising to £465 in 2015.
Vine hosted Points of View for a decade up to 2018 — another show inviting audience feedback on BBC programming. He was paid £3,000 an episode, a figure that was more than halved to £1,300 in 2018.
In a summary of the BBC’s defense, made available on Wednesday at the Central London Employment Tribunal,...
- 10/30/2019
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. TV networks have been covering Meghan Markle and Prince Harry extensively in the run-up to their wedding day. As the big day finally arrived, they went to wall-to-wall coverage of the royal nuptials beginning early Saturday.
The 600 invited wedding guests started arriving at Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel before 9:30 a.m. London time (1:30 a.m. L.A. time). Around 11:20 a.m., the royal family is expected to arrive.
Leading the TV coverage for BBC One were Kirsty Young, Huw Edwards, Dermot O’Leary, Tina Daheley, Alex Jones, Ore Oduba and Anita Rani....
The 600 invited wedding guests started arriving at Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel before 9:30 a.m. London time (1:30 a.m. L.A. time). Around 11:20 a.m., the royal family is expected to arrive.
Leading the TV coverage for BBC One were Kirsty Young, Huw Edwards, Dermot O’Leary, Tina Daheley, Alex Jones, Ore Oduba and Anita Rani....
- 5/19/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding is almost here! The adorable couple will tie the knot at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday, May 19, and, as expected, the world will be watching. As the royals prepare to say "I do" at 12 p.m. GMT, several outlets will be on hand with live coverage of the highly anticipated event. Ahead, we've rounded up all of the places where you can watch the royal affair. Then, if you're still thirsty for more details, check out the rest of our royal wedding content here.
Related: The Countdown Is On! Everything You Need to Know About Harry and Meghan's Wedding ABC: Robin Roberts of Good Morning America and David Muir of World News Tonight will host live coverage from London at 5:00 a.m. Et. CBS: CBS This Morning's Gayle King and Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier will anchor...
Related: The Countdown Is On! Everything You Need to Know About Harry and Meghan's Wedding ABC: Robin Roberts of Good Morning America and David Muir of World News Tonight will host live coverage from London at 5:00 a.m. Et. CBS: CBS This Morning's Gayle King and Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier will anchor...
- 5/17/2018
- by Terry Carter
- Popsugar.com
The BBC has revealed its programming plans to cover the May 19 wedding of Prince Harry and Suits star Meghan Markle.
The British public broadcaster has lined up The X Factor host Dermot O’Leary and Crimewatch and Desert Island Discs host Kirsty Young to present the nuptials alongside BBC news presenter Huw Edwards. Ore Odubda, who won Strictly Come Dancing, the British version of Dancing with the Stars, Radio One’s Tina Daheley and The One Show host Alex Jones will join, marking the BBC’s most diverse line-up to cover a royal wedding.
The BBC is the only broadcaster allowed to film the actual ceremony, which takes places in St George’s Chapel in Windsor, but it will share its coverage with global networks.
The broadcaster has also lined up major radio plans including Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, who also appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here,...
The British public broadcaster has lined up The X Factor host Dermot O’Leary and Crimewatch and Desert Island Discs host Kirsty Young to present the nuptials alongside BBC news presenter Huw Edwards. Ore Odubda, who won Strictly Come Dancing, the British version of Dancing with the Stars, Radio One’s Tina Daheley and The One Show host Alex Jones will join, marking the BBC’s most diverse line-up to cover a royal wedding.
The BBC is the only broadcaster allowed to film the actual ceremony, which takes places in St George’s Chapel in Windsor, but it will share its coverage with global networks.
The broadcaster has also lined up major radio plans including Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, who also appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here,...
- 5/4/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
For Meghan Markle, working alongside Prince Harry and her future in-laws is "togetherness at its finest." The former Suits star weighed in on joining the royal family business on Wednesday during her first official engagement with her fiancé, Prince William and Kate Middleton. The royals and the actress were part of a panel to discuss their work and vision for The Royal Foundation. During the discussion, moderator and BBC journalist Tina Daheley asked the group if they ever have disagreements as a family. "Oh, yes!" William said, spurring laughter from the audience. Harry described the bouts as "healthy disagreements" and considered differing...
- 2/28/2018
- E! Online
Bollywood actor, producer, director and singer, Farhan Akhtar will be attending the 17th annual Asian Achievers Awards, tying in with the theme of this year’s event, which centres around the fields of Media, Art and Culture. The awards will be held on Friday 22nd September and celebrate South Asian excellence at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane. Bollywood singer, actress and model, Raageshwari will join former Eastenders star Nitin Ganatra to host the glittering ceremony.
This year, women have stormed the 17th annual Asian Achievers Awards nominees list, with 22 of the 36 shortlisted contenders being female. It is one of the few times that any awards event, Asian or otherwise, has women outnumbering male nominees. The nominees include, Vanita Patel MBE of Anti-Slavery International; England cricketer Haseeb Hameed; playwright, Tanika Gupta MBE; ground-breaking chemist, Sir Shankar Balasubramanian Frs and BBC journalist, Tina Daheley – full list below.
Since launching, The...
This year, women have stormed the 17th annual Asian Achievers Awards nominees list, with 22 of the 36 shortlisted contenders being female. It is one of the few times that any awards event, Asian or otherwise, has women outnumbering male nominees. The nominees include, Vanita Patel MBE of Anti-Slavery International; England cricketer Haseeb Hameed; playwright, Tanika Gupta MBE; ground-breaking chemist, Sir Shankar Balasubramanian Frs and BBC journalist, Tina Daheley – full list below.
Since launching, The...
- 9/9/2017
- by BollySpice Editors
- Bollyspice
BBC Three's Free Speech has not been cancelled, according to a BBC spokesperson.
The channel has said that it is working with the show's production company "to look at ways to continue bringing meaningful topical debate to a young audience".
Their denial follows comments made by hosts Rick Edwards and Tina Daheley, who suggested that the show would not be returning to screens after its recent election specials.
Edwards tweeted: "In other news, I'm afraid @BBCFreeSpeech probably won't be on TV again. No more debates for a younger audience. Sorry. Not my decision."
Meanwhile, Daheley told Metro: "[Free Speech] is no more, unfortunately, now that BBC Three is moving online. We're doing a lot on social media so hopefully the Free Speech brand will continue even if the TV shows aren't.
"The irony is we got the highest figures for our last show. All of our coverage has been on what our listeners want to talk about.
The channel has said that it is working with the show's production company "to look at ways to continue bringing meaningful topical debate to a young audience".
Their denial follows comments made by hosts Rick Edwards and Tina Daheley, who suggested that the show would not be returning to screens after its recent election specials.
Edwards tweeted: "In other news, I'm afraid @BBCFreeSpeech probably won't be on TV again. No more debates for a younger audience. Sorry. Not my decision."
Meanwhile, Daheley told Metro: "[Free Speech] is no more, unfortunately, now that BBC Three is moving online. We're doing a lot on social media so hopefully the Free Speech brand will continue even if the TV shows aren't.
"The irony is we got the highest figures for our last show. All of our coverage has been on what our listeners want to talk about.
- 5/8/2015
- Digital Spy
Free Speech will return for a fourth series on BBC Three.
The live debate programme will air on the channel on Thursday, March 12, beginning with an Ed Miliband Q&A session.
Free Speech: I'm Ed Miliband, Ask Me Anything will see the leader of the Labour party face an audience for an unscripted hour of questions, and marks the beginning of the show's election specials.
Rick Edwards will return to host and chair the series, while Tina Daheley will moderate online comments from viewers.
BBC Three Controller Damian Kavanagh said: "It's brilliant that Free Speech is back on BBC Three giving our young audience the opportunity to ask politicians the questions that matter to them."
The Ed Miliband Free Speech Q&A will air on BBC Three at 8pm.
The live debate programme will air on the channel on Thursday, March 12, beginning with an Ed Miliband Q&A session.
Free Speech: I'm Ed Miliband, Ask Me Anything will see the leader of the Labour party face an audience for an unscripted hour of questions, and marks the beginning of the show's election specials.
Rick Edwards will return to host and chair the series, while Tina Daheley will moderate online comments from viewers.
BBC Three Controller Damian Kavanagh said: "It's brilliant that Free Speech is back on BBC Three giving our young audience the opportunity to ask politicians the questions that matter to them."
The Ed Miliband Free Speech Q&A will air on BBC Three at 8pm.
- 3/3/2015
- Digital Spy
The ten young athletes nominated for Young Sports Personality of the Year have been unveiled by the BBC.
The award celebrates stars aged 17 and under on January 1, 2013 and features teenagers from a wide variety of sports.
Manchester United footballer Adnan Januzaj has made the cut alongside Dina Asher-Smith, who helped Great Britain's relay team win bronze at the World Athletics Championships.
Swimmer James Guy, 16-year-old skeet shooting champion Amber Hill and golfer Charley Hull are also on the list alongside athletics star Jess Judd, 15-year-old Paralympic swimmer Amy Marren and 14-year-old weightlifting record-breaker Rebekah Tiler.
The shortlist is rounded out by 15-year-old wheelchair athletics star Isaac Towers and Kimberley Woods, an expert in canoe slalom.
The nominees were chosen by a panel of judges including Olympians Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, Radio 1 star Tina Daheley, Blue Peter presenter Radzi Chinyanganya and 2001's Young Sports Personality winner Amy Spencer.
The panel will...
The award celebrates stars aged 17 and under on January 1, 2013 and features teenagers from a wide variety of sports.
Manchester United footballer Adnan Januzaj has made the cut alongside Dina Asher-Smith, who helped Great Britain's relay team win bronze at the World Athletics Championships.
Swimmer James Guy, 16-year-old skeet shooting champion Amber Hill and golfer Charley Hull are also on the list alongside athletics star Jess Judd, 15-year-old Paralympic swimmer Amy Marren and 14-year-old weightlifting record-breaker Rebekah Tiler.
The shortlist is rounded out by 15-year-old wheelchair athletics star Isaac Towers and Kimberley Woods, an expert in canoe slalom.
The nominees were chosen by a panel of judges including Olympians Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, Radio 1 star Tina Daheley, Blue Peter presenter Radzi Chinyanganya and 2001's Young Sports Personality winner Amy Spencer.
The panel will...
- 12/3/2013
- Digital Spy
Rick Edwards is to host a live debate on BBC Three to discuss the ongoing Syrian crisis.
A special episode of Free Speech will deal with the country's alleged use of chemical weapons and David Cameron losing the Parliamentary vote on military action.
An audience of 150 people aged 16-25 in Hackney will give their views on the Parliamentary vote and suggest what can be done to aid victims of the conflict.
The line-up of guests includes Labour MP Seema Malhotra, Conservative MP Damian Green, director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti and journalists Milo Yiannopoulos and Mehdi Hasan.
Tina Daheley will be running online questions and debates all day leading up to transmission.
Syria Crisis: Free Speech Special airs on Wednesday (September 4) at 8pm on BBC Three.
Edwards has fronted a number of documentaries for BBC Three in recent months, including one on Oscar Pistorius fatally shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
A special episode of Free Speech will deal with the country's alleged use of chemical weapons and David Cameron losing the Parliamentary vote on military action.
An audience of 150 people aged 16-25 in Hackney will give their views on the Parliamentary vote and suggest what can be done to aid victims of the conflict.
The line-up of guests includes Labour MP Seema Malhotra, Conservative MP Damian Green, director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti and journalists Milo Yiannopoulos and Mehdi Hasan.
Tina Daheley will be running online questions and debates all day leading up to transmission.
Syria Crisis: Free Speech Special airs on Wednesday (September 4) at 8pm on BBC Three.
Edwards has fronted a number of documentaries for BBC Three in recent months, including one on Oscar Pistorius fatally shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
- 9/3/2013
- Digital Spy
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