Adlington agent says BBC 'not tough enough' on jibe

Published on Sunday 1 November 2009 21:13

THE agent of Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has complained to the BBC that it did not take tougher action against a comedian who joked about her appearance.

Frankie Boyle said on satirical gameshow Mock The Week that the 20-year-old Olympic champion resembled "someone who's looking at themselves in the back of a spoon".

The remarks provoked 75 complaints from members of the public, and the BBC Trust's Editorial Standards Committee ruled they were "offensive and unacceptable for broadcast".

It also concluded the double gold medallist had not courted publicity or celebrity status, making the personal remarks unjustified.

A spokesman for Adlington said: "By giving Frankie Boyle a rebuke they fail to discourage others from doing the same in future, and that's why we have questioned the BBC Trust's actions."

A BBC Trust spokesman confirmed it had received a letter from Adlington's agent.

Earlier this week, Boyle said he was unrepentant about the comments and hit back at the BBC Trust criticisms.

In an interview with Time Out magazine, he said: "The number one priority in TV comedy today is 'don't frighten the horses', and it's probably number two and three as well. If you look at the scheduling nowadays, it's all just celebrities meeting meerkats."

Adlington won two gold medals at the 2008 Olympics and is Britain's most successful Olympic swimmer in 100 years.