Rigging of shows prompts BBC review

THE BBC admitted faking the winners of phone-ins and interactive competitions on six shows, including charity appeals Comic Relief, Sports Relief and Children In Need, as well as Blue Peter.

It suspended all such competitions on Wednesday amid an embarrassing fallout, but announced it had gone a step further.

“We can confirm a small number of staff have been asked to step aside from their duties whilst we review issues surrounding the incidents referred to yesterday,” it said in a statement.