BBC's biggest names hauled in for urgent meetings over 'behaviour'

The ’s biggest stars are set to be hauled in before bosses in a massive crack down on bad behaviour. All on-air staff at the Corporation are set to have “formal face to face conversations” setting out “expected behaviours” and “BBC values”.

A source said: “No matter how big a star you are, everyone will be sat down and spoken to….noone will be exempt. The BBC want it to be known they mean business.” The plans are revealed in the which was launched in the wake of the explicit photos affair.

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In the meetings, the stars will be told about “specific examples of unacceptable behaviours” that they must refrain from adopting, as well as “role model examples”. They will also be given “refreshers” on how to “deal with being in the public eye”, as well as coping with social media abuse.

Bosses are also set to clamp down on external, paid-for work away from the BBC which could present a potential conflict of interest. Insiders say that the BBC is also looking at trying to crack down on too-powerful agents, who represent the stars.

A source said: “Agents often insist complaints from management about their clients go through them, rather than direct. As a result, the feedback is often sugar-coated, and the difficult conversations about their behaviour aren’t taking place.” The report itself signalled tensions within the BBC from rank and file staffers over its stars employing agents to represent their interests.

There was unease over the fact that agents could help with career development, whereas everyday staff would have to fend for themselves. The report says: “Who talks career development? – and the opportunities to transfer from one show to another. There is a perception that this is often undertaken by agents and as we heard ‘Why on earth should anyone who’s BBC staff need an agent.’”

The . The review said there were “examples of ­well-known names not being held to account for poor behaviour”.

It added: “Some names were repeated several times, others more infrequently. We heard examples of on-air / on-screen presenters who are seen to be ‘difficult’ and who are ‘man-marked’ by managers. The managers are aware of the presenters’ reputations and want to act as a buffer, to be on hand and provide feedback and reassurance. This is very different to addressing poor behaviour in the first place. Even though they are small in number, their behaviour creates large ripples which negatively impact the BBC’s culture and external reputation.”

The shock review, from Change ­Associates and led by consultant Grahame Russell, pointed to one example of an “untouchable called out for ­exceptionally inappropriate language”. It said: “A senior manager was in the room but was perceived as d­eferring so as not to rock the boat. They had had words, made sure a report was made, and promised ­sanctions would be taken.”

Workers on the show in question were furious. One said: “Staff were impacted … there should have been zero ­tolerance and no nuance.”

Even celebs themselves told how BBC staff often pandered to them. One A-lister said: “As the so-called talent, I’m aware that no one wants to upset me, people laugh at jokes, fuss around me, can’t do enough for me.

“It is false and unnecessary, and I can see how over time, some would come to expect it.”

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