Celebrity hiring condemned

BECTU has expressed concern that ITV is again being linked with the high cost of hiring a celebrity front person.

This speculation is against a background of yet more proposed redundancies of experienced ITV production staff.

Media reports suggest former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell may front an ITV chat show, following previous speculation that Wayne Rooney's girlfriend Coleen McLoughlin could also be given her own programme.

The company announced last week that around a dozen staff including experienced Producers, Directors, and Researchers, working for ITV Arts and Features department are facing redundancy.

This follows recent redundancies at ITV Kids, Factual, and London Drama.

National Official Nigel Mason said today on behalf of BECTU: "It is unfortunate that at a time when ITV are making experienced and talented programme makers redundant, they should be prepared to throw large amounts of money at celebrities to front programmes.

"With no disrespect to Geri Halliwell or Coleen McLoughlin, we doubt that either of them can offer ITV the same broadcasting ability and experience as the staff at risk of losing their jobs in Arts and Features, or those who have previously left ITV Kids, Factual, and Drama".

The union is calling on ITV to refocus its financial resources on maintaining its core base of staff who have the ability and experience to make quality television programmes.