Humphrys to escape BBC censure over easy pay joke

Published on Friday 18 September 2009 22:06

JOHN Humphrys, the Mastermind host, is not expected to be disciplined by the BBC over comments he made about his role on the quiz show at a corporate function.

Humphrys told a rail industry awards dinner that his job on Mastermind was "money for old rope" and related an off-colour anecdote about bumping into former Labour prime minister Tony Blair in a BBC lavatory.

Yesterday, the 66-year-old said the "money for old rope" comment was merely intended to contrast how much easier Mastermind was for the presenter holding the answers than the contestants in the famous black leather hotseat.

It is understood that the BBC will not take further action against Humphrys, who also presents Radio 4's flagship morning current affairs show Today, as it is not felt that his comments are likely to compromise his impartiality.

Humphrys is employed on a freelance basis by the BBC and, under the corporation's guidelines for journalists, is allowed to carry out engagements outside his broadcasting work on the proviso that he does not do or say anything that would undermine the public's perception of the BBC's fairness and objectivity.