BBC criticised over remarks

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

OLYMPIC swimmer Rebecca Adlington’s agent said the BBC did not take tough enough action against a comedian who joked about her appearance.

Frankie Boyle told the audience of satirical game show Mock The Week that the 20-year-old Olympic champion resembled "someone who’s looking at themselves in the back of a spoon".

The remarks provoked 75 complaints from members of the public and the BBC Trust’s Editorial Standards Committee ruled they were "offensive and unacceptable for broadcast".

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, November 03, 2009