Anger at BBC as Radio 1's Fearne Cotton given royal interview

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The BBC was accused of dumbing down yesterday after it chose a Radio 1 DJ to conduct the first major interview with princes William and Harry since their mother's death.

Fearne Cotton, who is 25 and has described herself as a "mouthy little girl", got the nod ahead of respected broadcasters such as Huw Edwards and Jeremy Paxman.

Senior BBC journalists claimed it shows the corporation is treating the interview as a piece of "showbiz puff" rather than a major news story.

In contrast, the American TV network NBC selected its veteran broadcaster Matt Lauer, 49, to interview the princes.

A BBC insider said: "It is an absolute joke that a DJ was allowed to conduct this major interview.

"Frankly it is ludicrous that a major interview with the sons of the Princess of Wales is not conducted by a proper journalist."

Another insider said: "I hope they haven't just asked about who is their favourite singer or who is their favourite band."

Miss Cotton started her career in children's TV and went on to present the now defunct Top of the Pops and ITV's lowbrow reality show Love Island.

She has also reported from the Oscars red carpet for Sky One, during which she called the actor Michael Sheen "Martin" and repeatedly informed the arriving stars that she was wearing elasticated pants.

Her interview with the princes has already been recorded as part of a series of events in the summer marking the tenth anniversary of Diana's death.

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Princes Harry and William: William who recently split from girlfriend Kate Middleton was said to be quite taken with DJ Fearne Cotton

NBC is promoting its interview by claiming that "the two royal brothers discuss absolutely everything".

It is believed to show William and Harry talking frankly about the death of their mother, Harry's hopes to fight in Iraq and their attitude to the Press.