Swimmer queries Mock show ruling

Rebecca Adlington's agent has said the BBC Trust did not take a tough enough stance over comments made about the swimmer in Mock the Week.

The trust ruled the satirical show breached guidelines when it allowed panellist Frankie Boyle to make comments about Adlington's appearance.

But Adlington's spokesman Rob Woodhouse said the "rebuke" was not enough.

"By giving Frankie Boyle a rebuke they fail to discourage others from doing the same," he said.

"That's why we have questioned the BBC Trust's actions," Mr Woodhouse added.

A BBC Trust spokesman confirmed it had received a letter from Adlington's agent and would respond in due course.

Panellist Frankie Boyle's remarks about the Olympic champion were "humiliating" and "risked offending the audience", the trust ruled after the show prompted 75 complaints from viewers following its broadcast in August 2008.

Final ruling

Its producer apologised in December, saying "the ribbing may have gone a tad too far on this occasion".

The trust's Editorial Standards Committee also concluded that double gold medallist Adlington had not courted publicity or celebrity status, making the personal remarks unjustified.

They added that the makers of Mock The Week, who allowed sexual innuendo and comments about Adlington's appearance to be included, failed to have an editorial reason for including them.

The committee's decision was a final ruling on a complaints process that has been in progress since last year.

The BBC recently announced that Boyle was stepping down from the show after seven series to concentrate on other commitments.

The Scottish comedian, known for his dour, cutting humour, was called "a brilliant member of the team" by a spokesman for the programme.

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