Sir Alan Sugar given go ahead by BBC to continue with The Apprentice

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Sir Alan Sugar will continue on The Apprentice after the BBC decided his new role as a Government adviser would "not compromise the BBC's impartiality", the corporation said today.

New role: Sir Alan Sugar

Questions had been raised about whether the entrepreneur's new "enterprise tsar" role could breach the corporation's impartiality rules during the general election campaign.

The 62-year-old, who will take a seat in the House of Lords following Gordon Brown's Cabinet reshuffle earlier this month, said he was "glad" about the decision.

It is understood the BBC reached its decision because it was felt, in his advisory role, Sir Alan was not obliged to endorse or promote Government policy.

The fact that he would not be doing any sort of campaigning while on air was also a key factor in the BBC's decision, and he would not be forced to take the Government whip while in the House of Lords.

Sir Alan said: "I am passionate about business and enterprise and that has always been my motivation for wanting to take on this role.

"I am glad that following detailed discussions, the BBC is satisfied that I will not be doing anything to affect its commitment to impartiality."

Following the reshuffle, the Conservatives wrote to BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons to express their concerns over Sir Alan's appointment.

Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said acting as enterprise tsar and presenting The Apprentice on the BBC were "totally incompatible" roles.

In a statement today, the BBC said: "Following detailed discussions with Sir Alan Sugar, the BBC is satisfied that his new role as an Enterprise Champion to the Government will not compromise the BBC's impartiality or his ability to present The Apprentice.

"Sir Alan is not going to be making policy for the Government nor does he have a duty to endorse Government policy.

"Moreover, Sir Alan has agreed that he will suspend all public facing activity relating to this unpaid post in the lead up to and during any shows that he is presenting on the BBC."

If he were offered a peerage, the statement continued, Sir Alan would join other members of the House of Lords who work for the BBC, such as Lord Lloyd-Webber, Lord Bragg and Lord Winston.

By Matt Williams, Press Association, in New York
Singer-songwriter Billy Joel is separating from his third wife, the couple have confirmed.

The pair said in a statement that they remained "caring friends with admiration and respect for each other" despite the breakdown of their relationship.

Joel wed Katie Lee in 2004 at a ceremony at his mansion on New York's Long Island. At the time, the singer was 55 years old and his bride was 23.
Joel's first marriage, to his business manager Elizabeth Weber Small, broke down in 1982 after nine years.

He went on to marry Christie Brinkley, the model who starred in the video for Joel's Uptown Girl. But the hit single was actually written for former girlfriend supermodel Elle Macpherson, the singer said later.

Following the trend of writing songs for partners, Joel recorded All My Life as an anniversary gift to his latest wife two years ago.

Lee is a TV presenter in the US, famed for fronting the reality programme Top Chef.

In a joint statement, the couple announced their intention to split after nearly five years of marriage.

"This decision is the result of much thought and consideration," they added.

It is not known if the couple are actively seeking a divorce.

 

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