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The BBC has been accused of snubbing a charity single that raises money for injured soldiers.
It has declined to put We Will Remember Them on the playlists of Radio 1 or 2 despite the star-studded cast that sang it.
The song is performed by United Artists, an ensemble of more than 200 stars including Michael Bolton, Mica Paris, Robin Gibb and Atomic Kitten singers Natasha Hamilton and Liz McClarnon.
But the BBC has agreed to give it only to a few "spot" plays on certain shows. The move has led to angry accusations that the BBC doesn't want to promote other causes ahead of Children in Need on Friday.
Andrew Tribe, the producer behind the project said: "This is not good enough. The BBC have refused to playlist the song and are only playing it once or twice on a couple of shows as a sop.
"All we are trying to do is raise money for a very worthwhile cause. Every artist gave up their services for free and we desperately need the BBC's support. They have a virtual monopoly on radio, so without their support we will not be able to raise the money we need."
He also accused the BBC of reneging on a promise to play the video of the song on BBC1's the One Show on Monday, when Michael Bolton appeared.
All proceeds from the song go directly to the Royal British Legion and the Help For Heroes charity.
A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC has specific fundraising projects that we support such as Children in Need and Comic Relief.
"Beyond these we do not invite people to donate or promote the aims of individual charities to avoid promoting one good cause above any other.
"The charities this single supports have gained substantial coverage on BBC networks in the lead up to Remembrance Day."
Reader views (9)
In my opinion the BBC is not supporting The Royal British Legion which will be receiving the money to help the Service Men and Women, what a disgrace, they should hang their heads in shame. The RBL should consider not to use the BBC for their Remembrance Service at the Royal Albert Hall next year or the Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Sunday following.
Thomas.
- Thomas David Eirwyn Edwards, SPALDING, 09/12/2009 01:09
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The BBC had to weigh the impact of broadcasting something that would have widespread public support and that of upsetting a few militant Muslims.
The result was a foregone conclusion.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 13/11/2009 14:02
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Yet another demonstration of the BBC total detatchment from the real world. Comic Relief and Children in Need, while no doubt doing admirable work, appear to be huge publicity vehicles for BBC luvvies, and the disclosure of payments to Terry Wogan did little for the credibility of the former event.
Those well-paid BBC executives should pay a visit to the Headley Court Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey in order to gain an insight into the true nature of heroism, as opposed to the cheap culture of celebrity that they appear to be in thrall to.
- John C, Leatherhead, UK, 13/11/2009 13:34
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Hang on, the Beeb isn't a charity and doesn't have any obligation to play a record purely because it's for a good cause. If they'd made a better record, or had it sung by anyone other than a bunch of "used to be" d-listers, it might have made the playlist - the charity have got their exposure with this public whinge anyway.
- Keith, King's Cross, 13/11/2009 13:32
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Proof that the BBC is a left wing trendy social club for wealthy socialist.
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 13/11/2009 12:05
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Who under 90 years old listens to BBC radio anyway?
- Ern, London, 13/11/2009 12:04
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A decision presumably supported by one or two of the cloud cuckoo land BBC executives we were reading about yesterday. These contemptible parasites ought to be replaced with people who can put "British" back into the BBC.
- Andrew, Hampton Hill, 13/11/2009 11:48
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The bbc are a joke and a sick joke at that.
- Steve, Brentford, 13/11/2009 11:14
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Sad, isn´t it? Yesterday, we read that 39 BBC bosses earn more than the Prime Minister. Today, those same bosses won´t support a charity for raising money for injured soldiers. Why not? Wasn´t their share of the profits big enough?
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 13/11/2009 10:18
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