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BBC Stuart Cosgrove Tam Cowan

Daily Record columnist Tam Cowan accuses BBC of operating double standards in competitions

By Hamish Mackay

April 13, 2012 | 3 min read

Daily Record columnist Tam Cowan has accused the BBC of operating double standards on the competition front with talent show The Voice on BBC 1.

Writing in the tabloid, Cowan, who is a seasoned contributor to BBC Radio Scotland, points out: “Even though I haven't watched a single second of The Voice on BBC1, I was very interested in the story about the show's ‘dodgy links’ with record label Universal.

“Not the bit about a number of the show's contestants having previously worked with the music giant.

“Or even the fact that three of the panel - Jessie J, Tom Jones and Will.i.am - are signed up to Universal.

“Nope, I'm more intrigued by the revelation that the prize for the winner is a recording contract with the record label.”

Cowan comments: “I thought competitions were banned on the BBC? How come a contestant can scoop a recording deal on The Voice but we can't give away a scabby Off The Ball T-shirt on BBC Radio Scotland?

“Hmmm. I think the clue might be in the ‘Scotland’ bit.

“Cash prizes are up for grabs in the English-produced Eggheads, while another London production, The Apprentice, rewards the winner with £250,000 to start up a new business.

“So, at the risk of repeating myself, how the hell can't me and Stuart Cosgrove give our listeners a T-shirt which, bought in bulk, probably costs about three quid?

“Talk about the great north-south divide? It seems the Beeb bigwigs don't play by the same rules down south.

“London is clearly the boss so far as the BBC is concerned. Who cares about the daft Jocks at Pacific Quay in Glasgow? This is particularly insulting when you think all the Beeb's recent troubles stemmed from south of the border in the first place.

“Whether it was the dodgy editing of a documentary about the Queen, the naming of a Blue Peter cat, or even the ‘Sachsgate’ episode involving Messrs Brand and Ross, I can assure you it had hee-haw to do with BBC Scotland.

“So why have we been punished?

“And, at the risk of repeating myself yet again, how come you're allowed to give away recording contracts, cash prizes on quiz shows and business grants worth a quarter of a million quid - but NOT an Off The Ball T-shirt?

“Gonnae hurry up with the referendum, Mr Salmond?”

BBC Stuart Cosgrove Tam Cowan

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