December 12, 2013 | Arts / Entertainment

BBC pissed that Graham Norton wore AIDS ribbon

Comedian Graham Norton, who has his own late night chat show on British TV, angered BBC brass by wearing an AIDS ribbon during a recent broadcast.

The openly gay comedian was warned ahead of time that the ribbon would violate BBC standards. His guests - Jeremy Clarkson, Jo Brand, Colin Farrell and Sharon Osbourne - were allowed to wear the ribbon in support of World AIDS Day, but as host of the show Norton could not.

"World Aids Day is an issue which Graham cares passionately about and he did wear a World Aids Day insignia on his programme," said the BBC controller of entertainment commissioning, Mark Linsey. "However, this is in breach of BBC guidelines. The production company has been contacted and reminded that he cannot do this and Graham has accepted he was wrong to do so." 

According to the BBC, Norton was in breach of guideline 4.4.20, which warns that the public broadcaster "must remain independent and distanced from government initiatives, campaigners, charities and their agendas."

Although it makes sense for journalists to appear impartial (unless they work for Fox, of course), the BBC making this an issue for a late night talk-show host seems positively Grinch-like. We hope Norton wears an even bigger ribbon next year!

Graham Norton warned over World Aids Day ribbon [BBC]