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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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 Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: BREAKING - NEWS Lesley Douglas Resigns |
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| It's been announced Lesley Douglas is to resign as controller at Radio 2. |
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Arcader
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 220
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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Ian Robinson
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3609
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Woo-hoo! |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | The following is the text of an exchange of letters which took place earlier today between Lesley Douglas, Controller, BBC Radio 2, 6 Music and Popular Music and the Director-General of the BBC.
Dear Mark
The last week has been a painful one for the BBC and particularly for BBC Radio 2.
It is with enormous regret that I have decided to resign as Controller of BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and of Popular Music. This is my decision alone.
Over the 23 years of my career at the BBC I have enjoyed a deep love and respect for both the audience and the BBC. The events of the last two weeks happened on my watch. I believe it is right that I take responsibility for what has happened.
It is a matter of the greatest possible sadness to me that a programme on my network has been the cause of such a controversy. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my personal apology to Andrew Sachs and his family and to the audience for what has happened.
It has been a huge privilege to have been entrusted with the leadership of the UK's most popular radio station, which is so intensely loved by the audience. I have also had the tremendous pleasure of launching BBC 6 Music and more recently of leading popular music output across the BBC.
I know I leave BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music in the hands of a dedicated and passionate team of incredibly talented presenters and production staff. I am enormously proud of what we have achieved together.
Yours ever
Lesley Douglas
Dear Lesley
Thank you for your letter.
It is with real sadness that I accept your decision to resign. There is no doubt that my sadness today will be shared both across the BBC and the wider music industry.
You have been an outstanding Head of Programmes and then Controller of Radio 2 over the past eight years. You have presided over a creative transformation of the Network, and have rightly been recognised by the industry for your massive contribution to UK radio.
Your decision to take responsibility for what has happened is an illustration of the integrity and commitment which has characterised your leadership at BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music
Over the past 23 years, you have been a devoted servant of the BBC, and your absence will be felt by your many colleagues and friends at the BBC. I am sure you will continue to make an outstanding contribution to radio and popular music in the UK.
Yours sincerely
Mark Thompson
Director-General
BBC Press Office |
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/10_october/30/statement.shtml |
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 4861
Location: Here, There, Everywhere.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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Inevitable really. It has been building for years, with Douglas in denial about the "star power" ruling the roost at Radio 2 and eventually the weak production & lack of control over the "star" turns was going to be her downfall.
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His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west..... |
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Arcader
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 220
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Does this mean that she leaves immediately, or does she have to work out a period of notice? |
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Ian Robinson
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3609
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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Blimey, Mark, when I read that post I thought Lesley had e-mailed you herself!
Her leaving was inevitable. The whole situation is a result of her poor leadership over the last few years, and her initial response to the controversy was typical: complete and utter silence.
If she'd come out on Sunday and said it was wrong, she's suspending the presenters and reviewing procedures, she may still be in a job. But like every other time she was criticised, she kept quiet and refused to listen or answer her critics. And she's paid the price for that.
Good riddance, frankly. |
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Briant
Joined: 02 Jun 2007
Posts: 964
Location: Liverpool England UK
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: Lesley Douglas... |
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| Lesley Douglas ignored all complaints about her appointments to Radio2 and now has paid the price. I wonder who will replace her? I hope it is someone more in tune with the station. |
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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I am so glad she has gone. From tomorrow Radio 2 gets better rather than worse.
Apparently (BBC news 6.00pm) Jonathan Ross is not in breach of contract. So we await HIS decision about his future  |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| It could damage Radio 2, as they may not be able to employ people like Ross and Brand? |
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Arcader
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 220
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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| mark occomore wrote: | | It could damage Radio 2, as they may not be able to employ people like Ross and Brand? |
Good! |
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Ian Robinson
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3609
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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| John W wrote: | | I am so glad she has gone. From tomorrow Radio 2 gets better rather than worse. |
We'll have to see!
While I'm annoyed that the owners of Radio 2's biggest rival station have managed to get rid of the boss I do hope this leads to some serious rethinking about the public service broadcasting they should be providing. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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The the BBC knew of this broadcast before it went out on Radio 2 on 18/10/08. The press first pointed it out last weekend, then it got out of control. It ended with two people leaving the BBC, and one suspended. Mark Thompson was in the dark.
The BBC have really been dragging there feet over this for nearly two weeks.
BBC Radio broadcast thought they could get away with this? Unfortunately it has tarnished the corporation, and made them rewrite the whole operation again. They have lost themselves, and if they don't start to sort things out they might as well shut up shop? |
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MadeinSurrey
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3130
Location: The Beautiful South
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:28 am Post subject: |
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| mark occomore wrote: | | It could damage Radio 2, as they may not be able to employ people like Ross and Brand? |
Mark, I do hope you were being ironic!
If R2 are unable to employ vulgar, unprofessional and boorish presenters, WE are the winners.
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MiS |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:52 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Lesley Douglas will be replaced as BBC Radio 2 controller on an acting basis by the station's head of programmes, Lewis Carnie.
Carnie is understood to have been on holiday when permission was given to broadcast Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross's pre-recorded prank calls to Andrew Sachs in the former's October 18 Radio 2 show. |
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/oct/30/lesleydouglas-russell-brand
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MarcB
Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 13
Location: Shropshire
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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I wonder who'll come in now - maybe move Parfitt from R1 over?
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and don't forget Radio 2 continues on 433 and 330 metres Medium Wave with Charlie Chester |
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Ian Robinson
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3609
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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| MarcB wrote: | | I wonder who'll come in now - maybe move Parfitt from R1 over? |
Media Guardian mention Bob Shennan, the former 5Live controller who moved to Channel 4 Radio last year. But now that's not going ahead, maybe he could return to the BBC? If so, Danny Baker won't be on Radio 2 anytime soon! |
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Arcader
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 220
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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Who is Bob Shennan anyhow?
What kind of producer is he in terms of the programming that he is likely to foist upon Radio 2's listeners if he got the job?
Anything like Douglas, more akin to James Moir, or totally different to them both? |
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Ian Robinson
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3609
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Arcader wrote: | Who is Bob Shennan anyhow?
What kind of producer is he in terms of the programming that he is likely to foist upon Radio 2's listeners if he got the job?
Anything like Douglas, more akin to James Moir, or totally different to them both? |
I don't know - I only know that I largely like what he did on 5Live, and that 5Live and Radio 2 actually share a lot of listeners. Their Drive show even read out some texts meant for Chris Evans the other day! |
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Angus McCoatup
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 221
Location: , Location, Location
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:52 pm Post subject: |
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| MarcB wrote: | | I wonder who'll come in now - maybe move Parfitt from R1 over? |
What about Kevin Keegan? He's looking for work..... |
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