I was surprised when fellow Gazette columnist Clinton Rogers mentioned himself in the same breath as that reprobate Gregg Wallace, writes Phil Hill.
Creepy Wallace, who unbelievably somehow landed a job heading up the BBC’s MasterChef, has been in the media firing line following a litany of complaints from women.
It seems he couldn’t help himself, allegedly blurting out foul-mouthed, sexualised, misogynistic comments and enjoying flashing.
He denied many of the accusations and even blamed the complaints on his alleged victims.
Then there was his fellow partner in slime John Torode, who was said to have been overheard using an unacceptable racist insult.
He reckoned he couldn’t remember, but said he didn’t think he’d said it.
‘Didn’t think’? Surely you know whether or not you use that awful slur.
Clinton, for those of you who may be unaware, worked for the BBC for many years, an achievement he should be immensely proud of.
In his recent column, he appeared to equate his swearing during heated newsroom rows, angrily throwing rolled up socks at his wife and leaving his young son in a supermarket trolley in France with The Wally’s and Torode's outrages.
Not the sort of behaviour most of us would admit to, but hardly on the same level as the two Chefties, who the Beeb rightly sacked.
Clinton went on to question whether the Terrible Two’s misdemeanours were really national news.
I would argue they definitely are.
The BBC is one of the world’s top broadcasting companies, paid for by viewers.
Just as publicly-funded politicians are held to a high account, so too should be BBC staff, particularly those who appear on screen.
It is undoubtedly in the public interest.
We should cherish ‘Auntie’, despite the best efforts of certain ‘stars’ to trash its reputation - notable scandals have involved Jimmy Savile, Huw Edwards, some Strictly Come Dancing names, Jeremy Clarkson and Russell Brand.
Maybe the corporation has been complicit in the past of doing little to stop arrogant, rogue, entitled elements in its midst.
But seemingly starting to turn the green light of complicity to red and acting firmly to root out objectionable behaviour can only be good news.
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