BBC faces outrage after bosses ‘waste’ money on £10k-a-night hotel room for Radio 1 stunt
BBC bosses sparked fury after splashing out for £10,000 a night hotel room for a controversial Radio 1 stunt, despite moaning about the size of its budget.
It was revealed BBC officials behind the stunt, which saw Radio 1 Breakfast host Greg James locked in The Shard for 48 hours, paid to put him up in one of the building’s best hotel suites. He morning entertainer was whisked away by former Saturday’s singer Mollie King and comedian Alan Carr during a Brit Awards after-party. He was then holed up in the extravagant Shangri-La hotel, which occupies 18 floors in the middle of the London skyscraper.
Suites like the one Greg was locked up in boast body-countouring beds, marble bathrooms, heated floors, room service and plasma TVs.
Radio 1 bosses confirmed they paid for the accommodation but insist they got a reduced rate.
Suite’s such as these would usually have cost £10,000 per night, but it is unknown how much discount the bosses got.
A Radio 1 spokesman told The Sun: “We’re delighted that millions of listeners were involved with Greg’s latest Radio 1 adventure, highlighting our position as the UK’s No1 radio station for young people.”
The broadcaster’s move comes amid heated debates over cutting the BBC licence fee, sparking waves of backlash aimed at the stunt.
James Roberts of the Taxpayers’ Alliance said: “When the BBC is complaining about funding cuts and sacking staff, stunts at the Shard should not be top of the shopping list.”
Many people took to social media to share their anger after discovering the staggering cost of the stunt.
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One Twitter user wrote: “Abolish the licence fee!”
John McSherry commented: “Great use of licence fee money! Nice work BBC!”
Matt Moggridge posted on Twitter: “Why would the BBC want to waste such a large sum of money for the sake of a stupid stunt by Greg James?
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“Was anybody really interested? Such wasteful activities and then they merge Watchdog with One Show to save money.
“Total idiots!”
Anita Damle blasted online: “That is why BBC should be stripped of the income from licensing fees!”
Another Twitter user added: “More wasting of tax payers money!”
One person wrote on Twitter: “The BBC didn’t pay, us mugs payed for it!”
Antoni Cannella replied: “Time to scrap the licence fee.”
Some highlighted BBC broadcasting veteran David Dimbleby’s recent attack on Boris Johnson over the licence fee row.
Mr Dimbleby claimed the Conservative leader’s conduct towards the BBC was “childish, peevish and unpleasant”.
Nick Goldson wrote on Twitter: “The BBC seem to be sticking two fingers up to the country and then you have Dimbleby criticising Boris!”