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Ross told: cut out smut and swearing
Amar Singh24 Nov 2008
JONATHAN ROSS will be bound by a series of strict rules, including a ban on swearing and sexual innuendo, when he returns to the BBC next year.
The 48-year-old presenter has been given the all-clear to return to his £6million-a-year job after his 12-week suspension for making obscene calls to 78-year-old actor Andrew Sachs.
But Ross is to be formally notified that his chat show will need to meet a host of stringent regulations on taste and decency. It follows an episode in which he told actress Gwyneth Paltrow that he would "f*** her"- which was branded "gratuitous and not editorially justified" by the BBC trust last week.
Sources claim that senior executives at Radio 2 have also examined the possibility of "phasing out" Ross by placing a ban on him presenting any live BBC output.
It is also claimed that they have considered replacing him on his Saturday morning show with Terry Wogan - a move denied by the BBC today.
Ross's production company Hot Sauce is also to be "policed" by BBC executives. A senior source at the corporation said: "There are plenty of people, particularly at Radio 2, who don't think he should return or be allowed to broadcast live.
"Everyone will be on tenterhooks now, when he enters any risqué territory and with a new controller coming in and looking to put their stamp on Radio 2's output there is a feeling he may be phased out of the station. His production company will be told that the rules have changed on compliance and will be closely policed."
Many staff feel that this is the beginning of the end for Ross at the BBC. The source added: "Jonathan Ross is going to be neutered and he won't like it one bit. He will not want executives sitting on top of him and analysing every word.
"A big part of his schtick is flirting with female celebrities - the Paltrow thing is just typical Ross, but now he will have to watch his words."
Industry sources say that if the BBC or Ross seek to prematurely terminate his contract, before 2010, he could join ITV where the presenter enjoys a good relationship with director of television Peter Fincham.
At last week's ITV1 winter season launch Mr Fincham said that whether he would sign Ross was "academic" as he is under contract at the BBC. But sources close to the ITV boss say he has "been monitoring Ross's situation closely".
Due to its financial difficulties, Channel 4 is seen as an unlikely destination for Ross despite the broadcaster's reputation for pushing boundaries. A senior Channel 4 source also said that "a move to bring Jonathan Ross back to Channel 4 would be a hard sell to the politicians as we are vying for a share of the licence fee."
The corporation's senior executives have been asked to report to the BBC Trust's editorial standards committee on how they are reigning in their most highly paid presenter. The report is due to coincide with director general Mark Thompson's annual report to the Trust next spring.
BBC executives still face an investigation by Ofcom over the calls to Mr Sachs, during which Ross said Brand had "f****d your grandaughter". The watchdog could impose a fine of £250,000.
It is expected to reprimand the corporation, after an in-house investigation revealed that ex-Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas approved the show without hearing it.
The corporation has also announced that its executive directors will be waiving their bonuses this year.
A BBC spokesman said: "There are no plans to change the Radio 2 schedules in the immediate future. Jonathan Ross will return to the station at the end of his period of suspension".
Reader views (16)
Whats the betting that Ross will be greeted with cheers and screams of support and approval when he does return? (probably rigged by the BBC to justify themselves). I think he is repellant - so do most people in this country; but hey - what does that matter - we only pay the licence fee!
- Susannah, London UK, 25/11/2008 13:43
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The BBC is like a democracy. A democracy where you can only vote for one party! How do I opt out of this crazy system? Surely there must be a way for me ot to support them.
- Ben, London, W1, 25/11/2008 13:36
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Told you Mr Dross would be back after his holiday|
- Selwyn Channon, epsom, 25/11/2008 12:50
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do all the readers on here prefer the likes of Timmy Mallet then - Leave Rossy alone
- Noel, Stockwell, 25/11/2008 12:47
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Kev, I'm with you lets scrapp the TV licence fee.
The BBC is bloated and out of touch. Plus £150 extra per year would be very useful at the moment.
- Taxfreetv, London, UK, 25/11/2008 10:54
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The mans a social inadequate,Hes a immature person,my 14 yr old son and his friends are far more sophisticated with there humour.I really don't think this inadequate is worth 10.000 a year let alone 6 million,and it shows how the bbc hold its license paying public in utter contempt.There should now be a campaign to scrap the license fee completely.
- Kev, London, 25/11/2008 09:37
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I love Jonathan's Friday night show and all his work (unlike it seems everyone else writing here)but if the BBC are going to try and change his material then it won't be worth watching. He's very funny but the BBc are going to put a stop to that, they probably think we need some more soaps and reality progammes.
- Suzzy, UK, 24/11/2008 23:06
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Cutting edge...!!!
Like the wizard in Oz, Jonathan Ross stands revealed (and reviled) before the nation as a dirty old man. Bereft of talent or wit - pathetically eager to hang on to a yoof audience by doing anything it takes - like the equivalent of rolling in the gutter for cheap laughs.
The antics of an amateur.
A star who killed radio!
Bringing him back endorses bullying and arrogance - but most of all serves up to the licence payers a has been whose talent, wit and humour has long been on the wane.
Very much like some of the apartments we are reading about - an overvalued property.
- Jenna, London, 24/11/2008 21:10
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This all shows that the trustees are burying their heads in the sand. Ross should have been fired weeks ago and to think they are going to let him back on the air - either radio or tv - just shows that the whole of the BBC management needs to be reviewed. I think I will join the ranks of the people who will withhold their license fee until things change, Why doesn't the Evening Standard run a poll to see if this would be popular?
- Les Royle, Richmond UK, 24/11/2008 16:47
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Ross is now a lame duck.
The 6 million salary was madness and should not have been sanctioned by the BBC.
- Malcolm May, Windsor, Berks., 24/11/2008 16:46
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If Ross thinks "I'd like to **** you" is flirting with female guests then it's lucky he's already married or he'd be getting glasses of drink thrown over him nightly and have train of lawyers following him everywhere. Just sack him BBC!
- Mark, London, 24/11/2008 16:44
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People who use swearing and sexual innuendo does not know how to captivate other people with normal conversation. This is not entertainment but only garbage. I cannot think that a organisation or someone will pay so much money to a person for using foul language. People like this does not last long as the public almost always get bored and sick of them. This is not a good example to the future generation and if you want to hear filth, just walk the streets and listen to the youth out there. I say ban such filth on the BBC.
- Ignoramus, Surrey, 24/11/2008 16:12
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Well with swearing and sexual innuendo out, Ross hasn't got any other act!
An over paid bore that has had his day and should be sacked then replaced with someone who is genuinely funny.
- George Dorman, Bexleyheath UK, 24/11/2008 14:06
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Well without the smut and innuendo Ross' show will go somthing like this..
Good Evening Ladies and Germs my names 'Jwonthan Woss'.
.
.
Thank you and goodnight.
Run time about 45 seconds.
- Rusty Shackleford, UK, 24/11/2008 13:26
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People in high positions, such as Lyon's just don't have a clue, or care about public opinion.
This incident should be over and done with by now, and Wossie should be on the dole.
He's not worth £6m a year.
- Malc, London,England, 24/11/2008 13:20
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Neutered like his pet dog, described in "Why do I say these things?". Lesson learned: be careful what you wish for.
- Bloke, London, 24/11/2008 12:34
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