Showbiz 5: From Apologies to Baby news and Olly’s Euro tune grooves

A newswrap of recent showbiz news with Penelope Teeth.

The BBC this week apologised to the parents of the young person who was subjected to seeing Huw Edwards’ arse. The family had complained to the Beeb about Edwards and his alleged inapt behaviour which included reports the BBC News host paid a 17-year-old for sexually explicit photos for a number of years. The currently suspended senior presenter has yet to speak about his side of the story, but in a statement last year said he would do so when the time was right.

As part of the Corporation’s apology, they admitted that the Beeb should have acted more quickly. The corporation launched a review into its complaints procedure after the scandal was exposed in The Sun newspaper in July last year, although they didn’t name Edwards. He revealed himself as the person of interest in a statement released by his wife. Edwards remains in full pay from the BBC. The Beeb this week also revealed plans to make sure future concerns are handled more efficiently.

The Guardian report: ‘The review was sparked after the Sun reported last July that “a well-known presenter” had given a 20-year-old crack cocaine user “more than £35,000 since they were 17 in return for sordid images” the posh paper adds, ‘The parents of the young person said a complaint made to the BBC was ignored in May last year. The BBC acknowledged the complaint had been made in May and was assessed by the corporate investigations team, but the BBC boss, Tim Davie, said at that point there was no “allegation of criminality”.’

This Morning and Capital Breakfast presenter Sian Welby has announced she is expecting her first child The Star reported, adding, ‘The TV star announced live on-air that she is going to be a mum as she spilled the beans on her pregnancy. She shared the exciting news with her fellow Capital Breakfast co-host Roman Kemp and Chris Stark during their Wednesday morning show (February 28).’The popular host is expecting the bundle of joy with her fiancé Jake Beckett.

Speaking on the radio show she said,

“I’ve got a bit of an announcement for you! I’m pregnant! I don’t know how I’ve managed to keep it from you for so long. The lies, the deceit, the mocktails! I couldn’t wait to tell you. This is a whole new journey for me and I want to take you all on it with me, and don’t worry I’m not going anywhere!”

Sian added that she will be taking a break over the summer but will return to Capital Breakfast later in the year.

BBC Radio 1 has announced that Katie Thistleton will join Vick Hope and Jamie Laing to co-host the new Going Home on Radio 1 (15:30 – 18:00, Monday to Thursday), starting on Monday 4 March.

Other changes see Dean McCullough take on Early Breakfast on Radio 1 (05:00 – 07:00, Monday – Thursday) which will make a move from London, to be broadcast live from Salford, Manchester, in July and after handing over the presenting reigns to Dean, Arielle Free, who currently presents Early Breakfast on Radio 1 (05:00 – 07:00, Monday – Thursday), will be stepping down from the show but will remain at Radio 1 to host a new Dance Show on Thursdays at 20:00 from the end of April.

It certainly makes you feel old all these changes at the Beeb. I mean I’m so old I can remember the days when radio stations hired actual DJs who were skilled in the medium of audio broadcasting. Anyway reality stars and TV hosts are the in thing, so I’ll stick to Boom Radio – I mean I can’t even bring myself to listen to Radio 1 90s Gold (Radio 2).

Global, the company behind radio stations such as LBC and Smooth, this week announced that its Group Chief Executive, Stephen Miron, intends to step down after 16 years at the helm. He will remain as Group CEO in the interim period and then become Chairman of Global at the end of March 2025. In March 2025, Global’s Chairman of 17 years, Lord Charles Allen, will become Senior Non-Executive Director of Global.

Stephen Miron joined Global’s Founder and Executive President, Ashley Tabor-King CBE, in 2008. Together with Lord Allen, who joined Global in 2007 when it was founded, they revolutionised the commercial radio market, returning it to growth after years of decline. Global is now the biggest commercial radio company in the UK, with market-leading brands including Capital, Heart and LBC, one of the UK’s fastest growing entertainment apps, Global Player, and a slate of award-winning and chart-topping podcasts. In 2018 Global diversified and strengthened its media business with the acquisition of three outdoor companies, making it the largest out-of-home advertising company in the UK. It is now Europe’s largest Radio and Outdoor company.

Stephen Miron, Global’s Group CEO:

“It’s been an absolute privilege to have been the Group CEO of Global for the last 16 years and I shall always be grateful to Ashley for giving me the opportunity to join Global back in 2008. This is without doubt the greatest CEO job in Media & Entertainment and I’ve been fortunate enough to have had the best seat in the house alongside Ashley, and am immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together. It’s been an honour to lead a company with so many special and talented people, and I’m delighted that I’ll still get the chance to remain part of the Global family when I take up the role as Chairman of the main Global board in March 2025.”  

Stephen Miron joined Global in 2008, prior to that he was Managing Director of The Mail on Sunday and Mail Online, having spent 20 years in the newspaper industry. Lord Charles Allen joined Global in 2007 and was the Chief Executive of ITV plc from its formation in 2004 until 2007, and Chairman of the music company EMI from 2008 to 2010.

The views expressed are those of Penelope Teeth, the drag queen with bite, and are not endorsed by ATV Today.