Viewers the losers in BBC debacle

NOW that the Brand/Ross debacle has finally ended, which only happened in my opinion because it dawned on the press that there was something slightly more important brewing, oh yes that’s it, the recession, we can now assess the damage that was caused.

Russell Brand resigned as did a very influential and talented Radio 2 controller.

The young lady at the centre of this unfortunate event, can anyone actually remember her name, has gone on to bigger and better things, the most significant being that she is now represented by Max Clifford, surely every young girls dream? Mr Sachs accepted their apology and Jonathan Ross gets to have Christmas off.

To be honest the only person I really feel sorry for is Lesley Douglas, the controller of Radio 2 at the time.

Surely when you run any business you delegate responsibility to the people around you, those that you trust, so that the amount of work to be done is evenly spread.

Surely Ms Douglas can’t be responsible for checking everything that goes out on air? It’s the people who edit the show, those who allowed a pre-record of such bad taste to be broadcast, who are to blame.

Anyway this isn’t my point. My point is, and let’s be honest, it’s why we’re in a global recession now, is the amount of money being paid to people.

Ross has an £18 million pound deal with the BBC over three years. That’s £6 million a year.

Is anyone else slightly concerned that because Mr Ross is being paid an extortionate amount of money each year, we are losing out on good dramas and interesting documentaries, and being left with the reality shows that have spread like a virus across all channels?

Surely a couple of Ross’s millions could have made a new documentary about climate change or commissioned some new writers to pen exciting and interesting new drama for the masses.

I can hardly remember the last really great drama. “Our Friends in the North” (starring Daniel Craig, now better known as James Bond) maybe? “Boys from the Blackstuff”, the brilliant recession-era drama from the early 1980s?

It’s about time good ole Auntie Beeb realised that although there are a lot of people out there who listen and love Ross’s rebellious style of humour, even they would admit it’s not worth £18 million.

Ross will have had a lovely Christmas and will be raring to go come the New Year. With a renegotiated contract maybe? We shall wait and see.