King Charles sent a heartfelt message to retiring BBC reporter Nicholas Witchell last month after the monarch reportedly called the journalist an “awful man” back in 2005. In the video, which was shown at the 70-year-old journalist’s retirement party, the British monarch joked about the “ups and downs” the pair had during Witchell’s stint as a reporter covering the royal family.“It did come as a surprise to everyone there including Nicholas,” one attendee told The Daily Mail. “I think it would be fair to say the King’s message was generous and warm-hearted.” A second source told the outlet that: “The feeling within the Corporation is that everyone is pleased the King has buried the hatchet.” “What happened between them is a long time ago and both men are of an age now where it’s better not to bear grudges.” Withell, who worked at the BBC for nearly 50 years, did not divulge any other information about the message from the 75-year-old king.
Analysis: The BBC & Netflix Unveiled Their Landmark Five-Year Disability Partnership With Fanfare In 2021, But Two-And-A-Half Years Later, The Industry Is Questioning Where The Shows Are
14.03.2024 - 14:05 / deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: At the 2021 Edinburgh TV Festival, the BBC and Netflix unveiled what the pair described as a landmark five-year disability partnership that would unearth a new generation of shows helmed by disabled talent.
But more than half of the partnership’s five-year time period has now elapsed and not one show has been revealed.
In recent months, sources from the UK drama and disabled TV communities have begun questioning the partnership, getting in touch with Deadline unprompted to query why a tie-up that was unveiled with such fanfare has so far failed to bear fruit.
“It’s slightly bizarre,” said one professional connected with disability programs. “I’ve heard nothing from anyone to be honest. No one can get a definitive answer.”
The partnership came in the wake of a blistering Edinburgh TV Festival MacTaggart broadside from Help writer Jack Thorne, who slammed the UK TV industry for “totally and utterly” failing disabled people.
The BBC and Netflix then unveiled a creative brief led by A24’s Piers Wenger, who ran drama for the national broadcaster at the time, and Anne Mensah, who oversees UK content for Netflix.
They said they wanted to “firmly place the shows alongside our most talked about original dramas.” “Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent creators are some of the least well represented groups on television in the UK and, put simply, we want to change that fact,” Mensah said at the time. “Together with the BBC, we hope to help these creators tell the biggest and boldest stories and speak to the broadest possible British and global audience.”
The partnership was the first of its kind between a UK broadcaster and global streamer and both said they had equal buy in, although submissions would go via the BBC and
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