With the BBC’s self satire W1A proving to be one of the corporation’s most popular shows, much has been made of whether the comedy is too close for comfort given that they are up for charter renewal next year.
Jamie Byng and Jude Law
Indeed Alan Yentob was mocked in March after he was photographed with a bike which bore a striking resemblance to the one owned by Ian Fletcher – Hugh Bonneville’s fictional BBC ‘Head of Values’ character. Then, in the most recent episode, Fletcher sported a newer model of fold-up bike, which bore an even closer likeness to Yentob’s own £1,000 Brompton bike.
When Mr S caught up with Yentob at the annual GQ and Land Rover Hay Festival party at Cabalva House, the BBC creative director was on hand to set the record straight. ‘I appeared in the first series when I hand wrestled Salman Rushdie but I also get a mention in the second; they based the bike story on me,’ Yentob told Mr S. With all the publicity Yentob’s bicycle is getting as a result, is it time for the BBC to look to corporate sponsorship? ‘Really Brompton should be paying me,’ Yentob joshed.
Helen Lederer
Meanwhile with culture minister Ed Vaizey unable to make this year’s literary festival due to a holiday clash, the Tory camp were at least well represented by the likes of Steve Hilton and Jesse Norman at the bash, which was hosted by Dylan Jones.
While guests including Jude Law and Helen Lederer descended onto the dance floor, it was philosophical heavyweight A. C. Grayling who won Steerpike’s award for best dad dancing, jiving to disco music late into the night.
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