[Mrluvaluva]

From todays, you guessed it, Daily Star!

BIG Brother and all TV shows with premium rate phone vote lines are under threat today after a flood of “rip-off” complaints.

ITV pulled the plug on all its paid-for reader polls and suspended digital channel Play.

Channel 4, which shows Big Brother, starring the likes of Danielle Lloyd, pictured, could follow suit soon.

ITV was left facing a multi-million-pound crisis after pulling the plug on all its money-spinning phone lines.

In a shock move, network bosses suspended vote lines, interactive quizzes and phone links connecte with its programmes from today, following a series of allegations that some dial-in contests were a rip-off.

And if other channels follow suit, it could mean the end of the road for hits like Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing.

Shows instantly affected include daytime ITV1 favourites such as Loose Women and This Morning, while the money-spinning digital channel ITV Play was taken off the air.

The move could also plunge hit reality show Dancing On Ice into chaos. Millions of fans could be prevented from voting for the likes of Emily Symons, 37, and Kyran Bracken, 35, this Saturday.

ITV bosses were last night drawing up emergency plans to make sure the show could still be screened.

A source said: “It is imperative we get everything sorted by Saturday so Dancing On Ice can go ahead.”

Loss of income from premium rate lines could leave a black hole in ITV’s finances. In 2005, it earned £36million from them.

Bosses insisted suspending ITV Play would not have a “significant impact” on income – yet it raked in £26m in the first half of 2006.

They decided to act following a series of alleged rip-offs. We reported last week how ITV1 had offered to refund 1.3m X Factor fans after charging them too much for votes.

Bosses overcharged viewers by a total of £200,000 between October 14 and December 16, billing them for 50p a call instead of 35p.

ITV has now appointed auditors to probe shows such as I’m A Celebrity and Hell’s Kitchen to check that viewers were not overcharged.

ITV’s chief operating officer John Cresswell said last night: “We’ve asked the auditors to report back to us with some urgency.

“The interactive elements in each programme will be re-introduced as they are independently signed off.”

Meanwhile, Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway has also faced allegations that it conned viewers.

It has been claimed that fans were encouraged to call and text at £1 a time for the chance to enter its “Grab The Ads” contest, even after contestants had been chosen.

Regulators are already investigating Channel 4’s Richard And Judy show over allegations viewers were invited to enter the You Say We Pay contest AFTER the winner had been chosen.

And BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen has come under fire for encouraging viewers to call in, despite the fact that the show was pre-recorded. The Beeb blamed a “lack of clarity” for the problem.

* What do YOU think? Should Big Brother be scrapped? Comment NOW at Have Your Say.


Another excuse to put Danielle on the front cover?

[tinkerbell]

No way!! Danielle is not on the cover??

Im in shock!

[Mrluvaluva]

She is! Look!

[tinkerbell]

Is she the one with white shorts? It doesnt look like her...

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by tinkerbell
Is she the one with white shorts? It doesnt look like her...

Yes. Well she ain't the 1 on the left is she!

[GiRTh]

Undies again!!!!

Another amazing piece of journalism!!!

They mention Danielle once in the piece and the article is related to a channel that Danielle has never been on but they still use her picture to illustrate it. Alastair Cooke will be turning in his grave.

[Nowhere]

The girl with the white shorts is Cheryl Tweed I think.

I don't see why BB should be axed altogether, maybe change the format a little, instead of us all voting, they could set challenges for the HM, whoever comes last, gets the boot..or something. As for ITV Play closing down for a while, that's great news, that show, and it's presenters are the lowest form of entertainment.

[Mrluvaluva]

It's definitely Danni:

"Channel 4, which shows Big Brother, starring the likes of Danielle Lloyd, pictured, could follow suit soon."

[GiRTh]

I've just nipped out to the shop. I don't think the girl on the right is Dani. I don't think it's Cheryl Tweedy weedy either.

[Mrluvaluva]

They can't say Danni is pictured on the front, if she aint. Looks like her to me.

[tinkerbell]

It doesnt look like Danielle....

[Arneldo]

It isnt Danielle on the front, but Danielle is pictured inside. Cheryl Tweed & Sarah Harding from Girld Aloud are on the front page.

[Nowhere]

Thought so.
I don't really bother with any of the voting on these programs anyway, except occassionally BB,so it doesn't really affect me. All this has made me realize how rich ITV are though.

[Sophii3x]

Originally posted by tinkerbell
Is she the one with white shorts? It doesnt look like her...

That's Cheryl Cole

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Sophii3x

That's Cheryl Cole

Are you sure it's Tweedy weedy?

[Sophii3x]

Originally posted by GRiT

Are you sure it's Tweedy weedy?

She's Cheryl Cole now, she changed her surname.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Sophii3x

She's Cheryl Cole now, she changed her surname.

Why did she change her name?

[spacebandit]

Maybe this'll get them to appoint an independent adjudicator for the vote counts and then claim it as their own idea with all the magnaminity they can muster.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by GRiT

Why did she change her name?

Because she married Ashley Cole.

[Sophii3x]

Originally posted by GRiT

Why did she change her name?

Because she married Ashley Cole!

[Mrluvaluva]

Snap!

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Sophii3x

Because she married Ashley Cole!

I didn't know Cheryl from Girl Aloud is married to Ashley Cole. When did this happen.

[Ruth]

About 8 or 9 months ago I think.

[The_Hitman]

Fantastic news.

For 7 years Big Brother has been determined by young girls and obsessive housewives with too much money to waste. The sooner Big Brother becomes a free vote, the sooner it will actually MEAN SOMETHING.

In an extra bonus, this could see the death of those disgusting con shows on ITV all night long.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by BAZG
From todays, you guessed it, Daily Star!

BIG Brother and all TV shows with premium rate phone vote lines are under threat today after a flood of “rip-off” complaints.

ITV pulled the plug on all its paid-for reader polls and suspended digital channel Play.

Channel 4, which shows Big Brother, starring the likes of Danielle Lloyd, pictured, could follow suit soon.

ITV was left facing a multi-million-pound crisis after pulling the plug on all its money-spinning phone lines.

In a shock move, network bosses suspended vote lines, interactive quizzes and phone links connecte with its programmes from today, following a series of allegations that some dial-in contests were a rip-off.

And if other channels follow suit, it could mean the end of the road for hits like Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing.

Shows instantly affected include daytime ITV1 favourites such as Loose Women and This Morning, while the money-spinning digital channel ITV Play was taken off the air.

The move could also plunge hit reality show Dancing On Ice into chaos. Millions of fans could be prevented from voting for the likes of Emily Symons, 37, and Kyran Bracken, 35, this Saturday.

ITV bosses were last night drawing up emergency plans to make sure the show could still be screened.

A source said: “It is imperative we get everything sorted by Saturday so Dancing On Ice can go ahead.”

Loss of income from premium rate lines could leave a black hole in ITV’s finances. In 2005, it earned £36million from them.

Bosses insisted suspending ITV Play would not have a “significant impact” on income – yet it raked in £26m in the first half of 2006.

They decided to act following a series of alleged rip-offs. We reported last week how ITV1 had offered to refund 1.3m X Factor fans after charging them too much for votes.

Bosses overcharged viewers by a total of £200,000 between October 14 and December 16, billing them for 50p a call instead of 35p.

ITV has now appointed auditors to probe shows such as I’m A Celebrity and Hell’s Kitchen to check that viewers were not overcharged.

ITV’s chief operating officer John Cresswell said last night: “We’ve asked the auditors to report back to us with some urgency.

“The interactive elements in each programme will be re-introduced as they are independently signed off.”

Meanwhile, Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway has also faced allegations that it conned viewers.

It has been claimed that fans were encouraged to call and text at £1 a time for the chance to enter its “Grab The Ads” contest, even after contestants had been chosen.

Regulators are already investigating Channel 4’s Richard And Judy show over allegations viewers were invited to enter the You Say We Pay contest AFTER the winner had been chosen.

And BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen has come under fire for encouraging viewers to call in, despite the fact that the show was pre-recorded. The Beeb blamed a “lack of clarity” for the problem.

* What do YOU think? Should Big Brother be scrapped? Comment NOW at Have Your Say.


Another excuse to put Danielle on the front cover?

This enquiry is about "Premium phone calls" and overcharging.

This is being sorted out and by the time Big Brother 8 arrives.

This will be over.

NO NEED TO PANIC!!