It seems that the BBC loss at the hands of ITV’s vote rigging at the 2005 Comedy Awards has caused a bit of a backlash from the press

Friday’s papers saw ITV receive universal condemnation in after it’s fine of a record £5.68m for improperly awarding the People’s Choice comedy award to stars Ant and Dec, when in fact the winner was Catherine Tate.

The Independent describes it as “a grotesque betrayal of viewers’ trust”, adding that there has been “something rotten in the ethics” of broadcasting.

The Daily Mail calls the channel “the cheats’ choice” and asks, “Can you believe a thing you see on ITV?”

While the Sun’s editorial simply says: “ITV should hang their heads in shame.”

It’s a horrible business, but lessons need to be learned rather than fingers being pointed.

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The 2005 British Comedy Peoples Choice Award has been returned by presenters Ant and Dec following the result of an inquiry into the practices of ITV phone voting.

The Catherine Tate Show had in fact received more votes, it has been revealed, with the deception emerging following media watchdog Ofcom’s audit of ITV phone voting and subsequent £5.68m fine over its misuse of premium rate phone lines.

It is believed that singer Robbie Williams had been guaranteed the opportunity to present and award to Ant and Dec, with the report stating:

“Robbie Williams was invited to present an award. It was understood that he would be happy [to do so] if the recipients were Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.

“In order to ensure his attendance, this assurance was given.”

So if anything good can be taken from this, it is that Tate at last has the opportunity to receive the award (although whether she would want it now after all that has happened is a different matter).

The truth is, ITV have irreparably damaged the Comedy Awards to fulfill their own self interests.

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