Sir David Jason, the beloved star of the British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses," has appeared in a new, controversial BBC television licence advert. The advert, titled "What Has The BBC Ever Done For Me?," features nearly 100 famous faces and aired during the World Cup final. Jason, 86, is seen briefly in the ad portraying his iconic character Derek Trotter.
This appearance comes despite the actor's history of publicly criticizing the BBC. In past interviews, Jason has spoken out against the corporation, accusing it of "empire building" and suggesting it had expanded too far into areas outside its remit. He expressed a need for pruning "deadwood" and called for greater investment in comedy and drama to compete with American productions.
While Jason did not receive payment for his participation in the advert, comedian Romesh Ranganathan, who fronts the campaign, was compensated due to the significant time commitment. A BBC spokesperson stated that creative development was handled in-house and that most participants donated their time voluntarily. The campaign aims to promote the BBC's services and demonstrate value to audiences across the UK.
The four-minute advertisement advocates for the £180-a-year TV licence fee. It begins with Ranganathan in the Queen Vic pub from "EastEnders," questioning the BBC's worth. The ad then showcases a range of BBC programming and contributions, including musical acts like Adele, news coverage, cooking shows, the Glastonbury festival, and popular series such as "The Traitors." The campaign is inspired by a 1986 advertisement featuring John Cleese.
Other notable figures appearing in the advert include Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, broadcaster Louis Theroux, "Strictly Come Dancing" judge Anton Du Beke, Claudia Winkleman, Alan Carr, Peter Capaldi, Sara Cox, Graham Norton, Vernon Kay, Greg James, Ruth Jones, Cate Blanchett, Daisy Ridley, Chris McCausland, Clive Myrie, Stacey Solomon, Pudsey Bear, and Daleks.
Despite the celebrity endorsements, the advert, along with on-screen QR codes and reminders to pay the licence fee, was met with a negative reaction from some viewers who felt bombarded during the football match. Social media commentary included criticisms of the ad as "desperate," "nauseating," and "shameless self-promotion."
Ranganathan defended the BBC in an article on the corporation's website, acknowledging its flaws but emphasizing its significant contribution to life in the UK.
In related news, former "Question Time" presenter David Dimbleby, 87, has criticized the BBC's decision to cut 550 jobs, calling it a "very bad call" and expressing dismay at the reduction in political analysis programming.