Complaint
Following a sequence featuring an email allegedly sent by David Beckham in which the c-word was used, the presenter said to the panellists “I don't know that we are allowed to broadcast the c- word, but you did reference Victoria Beckham earlier and we'll allow that”. Two viewers complained that this was gratuitously offensive.
Outcome
The relevant BBC Editorial Guidelines do not require programmes to avoid giving offence but do require that any offence should be editorially justified. In the ECU’s judgement, while the inclusion of the c-word in the programme derived editorial justification from David Beckham’s alleged use of it and the satirical reflections this prompted, there was no such justification for a comment which presented Victoria Beckham as equivalent to a particularly offensive word.
Upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the management of BBC Content. A version of the programme edited in the light of the finding will replace the version currently on iPlayer following the publication of this summary.
