How the BBC protected its predators: Lord Grade on Russell Brand and David Walliams

On Friday’s episode of The Daily T, Camilla and Tim are joined by broadcasting titan Lord Grade after a week in which Russell Brand was jailed for rape and the entertainment industry was rocked by sexual misconduct allegations against David Walliams. With senior roles at the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Ofcom, Lord Grade offers his perspective on the TV industry’s “predator” crisis. He argues that a fearful freelance workforce, watertight talent contracts and a “lads’ culture” allowed abuse to go unchecked, from Jimmy Savile and Huw Edwards to Gregg Wallace and Russell Brand.

Lord Grade also criticises the modern BBC as “not led properly”, saying he would not have tolerated Gary Lineker’s breaches of impartiality. He also explains why the corporation should nurture young talent rather than poach it from elsewhere and reveals his best and worst TV commissioning decisions.

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Producer: David Levene

Senior Producer: Emma Williams

Studio Operator: Meghan Searle

Video & Social Producer: Nada Aggour

Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman

Editor: Camilla Tominey

Highlights:

• Former BBC controller Lord Michael Grade discusses the TV industry's problem with controlling its talent and bad behaviour
• Lord Michael Grade reveals his best and worst TV commissioning decisions

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