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W1A

Series 3

Episode 4

Duration: 29 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Available for years

Following on from an item on BBC Breakfast about plans to close the BBC Big Swing Band, the damage limitation team under Ian Fletcher is under huge pressure to limit the damage.

A twitter campaign led by Jools Holland, #JeSuisBigSwingb and #boycottBBC, is gathering support from music royalty such as Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Tom Jones and Bono. And as the much-loved Big Swing bandleader Ray Fredericks is both black and 75, there are a growing number of accusations of discrimination and ageism.

BBC News outlets are keen to report the latest developments but exacerbate the problem when Syncopatico, the new News subtitling software, continues to systematically misspell the names of the key players involved - including Jools Holland.

It is felt that an appearance from one of the BBC senior management team on the News at One would be a helpful way of clarifying the BBC's position - but when head of better Anna Rampton unexpectedly rules herself out, it falls to Ian Fletcher to face the music.

Meanwhile, the campaign to launch new online platform BBC Me continues and ex-intern Will Humphries is still standing at his station in reception trying to persuade passing celebrities to record themselves saying 'me' into his phone. Show less

Contributors

Jack Patterson:
Jonathan Bailey
Ian Fletcher:
Hugh Bonneville
Faiza Rajah:
Priyanga Burford
Paramedic:
Laura Checkley
Tracey Pritchard:
Monica Dolan
Jerry Guildencrantz:
Ivan Gonzalez
Adam Brady:
Laurence Howarth
Siobhan Sharpe:
Jessica Hynes
David Wilkes:
Rufus Jones
Izzy Gould:
Ophelia Lovibond
Ben Rosenstern:
Max Olesker
Anna Rampton:
Sarah Parish
Fiona Craig:
Pooky Quesnel
Will Humphries:
Hugh Skinner
Lucy Freeman:
Nina Sosanya
Simon Harwood:
Jason Watkins
Neil Reid:
David Westhead
Himself:
Brian Cox
Interviewer:
Sophie Raworth
Himself:
Hugh Grant
Director:
John Morton
Executive Producer:
Jon Plowman

Brand

W1A

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