By Liz Thomas
Last updated at 1:48 AM on 18th January 2011
Voice of experience: Broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan
Sir Terry Wogan has attacked the BBC, saying its obsession with red tape is tantamount to ‘lunatics taking over the asylum’.
The veteran broadcaster warned that the corporation is in danger of censoring its talent in the wake of the Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand phone prank scandal.
He compared its approach with the public sector’s obsession with unnecessary and restrictive health and safety regulations.
The BBC tightened up procedures governing suitable broadcast content, known as ‘compliance’, after 54,000 people complained about Ross and Brand’s abusive messages to Andrew Sachs on a Radio 2 show.
‘Today, lunatics have taken over the asylum,’ Sir Terry, 72, told Radio Times.
‘Agents and publicists rule and the BBC even sends people to monitor interviews in the name of “compliance”. It is so restrictive.’
However, Sir Terry also criticised the next generation on screen, branding comedian Frankie Boyle as ‘too strong’ and warning that Ricky Gervais ‘walked a tightrope’.
He said of Piers Morgan’s U.S. role as CNN chat show host: ‘People confuse longevity with merit. Morgan is shameless and fearless enough to succeed.
Branded: Sir Terry claims BBC officials stepped up monitoring rules after comedian Russell Brand (left) played a prank on air during Jonathan Ross's radio programme
‘There’s nothing to be gained from being an aggressive interviewer. Clive Anderson proved if you’re sharp, possibly nasty, you last six months as you won’t have any guests. People only appear on radio and TV if they’ve something to sell.’
He added that executives are more concerned about pay packets than the prestige of working for a world-renowned public service broadcaster.
Now one of the BBC’s highest-paid stars earning more than £800,000 for his Sunday Radio 2 show, he insisted money should not be the driving force for working at the BBC.
Three years ago he accused bosses of lacking ‘old-fashioned thoroughness’.
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