14 DAY TRIAL // Media regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation to determine whether ITV, the network that produces and airs Britain’s Got Talent, violated the broadcasting code when Susan Boyle was allowed on the finale despite showing clear signs she was heading for a mental breakdown. Reports in the British media indicate that viewers had complained to ITV prior to Saturday when the finale took place, which would mean the producers deliberately chose to ignore all concerns for the sake of the 19 million audience recorded.
This is precisely what Ofcom must establish right now, the Daily Mail says. If the network had received complaints from concerned viewers in the week leading up to the finale and ignored them, thus exposing Boyle to even more stress and pressure, then it is guilty of breaching the broadcasting code. Section eight of said code clearly stipulates that “People in a state of distress should not be put under pressure to take part in a program or provide interviews, unless it is warranted,” the same publication reveals.
Reports of Boyle’s precarious state of mind had begun to emerge shortly after she won a spot in the finale, meaning, approximately a week ago. In the days immediately before the big evening, the unlikely Scottish star was seen acting erratically with fans and hotel staff, and ITV bosses even reportedly moved her to another hotel to avoid such immense pressure before the show, which means they knew almost for a fact she was about to have a breakdown, it is being said. If so, the network is likely to be held responsible for the breakdown.
As we also informed you yesterday, less than 24 hours after Susan Boyle came in second on the popular talent competition (after dance troupe Diversity), an ambulance and police were summoned to her hotel room as her management noticed she was acting “strangely.” She was admitted to London’s renowned The Priory, a clinic that specializes in mental health, where she will relax and de-stress for the next couple of days, a police spokesperson revealed yesterday.
In what is one of the strangest moves with cases like this, the Chief Medical Officer at The Priory, Chris Thompson, has just released a statement basically accusing ITV (and the media in general) for setting the premises for such tragedies to happen. “I would want to know that people being exposed to such pressures are actually looked after. I think I know what TV companies would say – they would say ‘these people are willing volunteers...’ The fact that there is consent between the TV company and contestant does not prevent the TV company having a duty of care once that consent has been given.” Thompson said.