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Blue Peter sorry for fake contest Blue Peter sorry for fake contest
(20 minutes later)
The BBC has apologised for faking the results of a competition on children's programme Blue Peter last November.The BBC has apologised for faking the results of a competition on children's programme Blue Peter last November.
A technical problem meant that viewers calling in for a competition were not getting through to the studio.A technical problem meant that viewers calling in for a competition were not getting through to the studio.
A member of staff asked a child who was visiting the show to pose as a caller and answer a question live on air.A member of staff asked a child who was visiting the show to pose as a caller and answer a question live on air.
BBC Children's controller Richard Deverell called the incident a "serious error of judgement". The BBC did not make money from calls to the programme.BBC Children's controller Richard Deverell called the incident a "serious error of judgement". The BBC did not make money from calls to the programme.
Viewers who did ring in were charged 10p per call, with 3.5p going to children's charity Unicef.Viewers who did ring in were charged 10p per call, with 3.5p going to children's charity Unicef.
I would like to apologise unequivocally to viewers BBC Children's controller Richard Deverell
However, the child who posed as the winning caller took home a prize chosen from a selection of children's toys.However, the child who posed as the winning caller took home a prize chosen from a selection of children's toys.
Premium phoneline regulator Icstis has confirmed it is mounting an investigation into the programme.
Falling shortFalling short
The incident was discovered after a viewer contacted the BBC by email to express concerns about the competition.The incident was discovered after a viewer contacted the BBC by email to express concerns about the competition.
An internal investigation discovered the error and a separate independent review will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding the competition.An internal investigation discovered the error and a separate independent review will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding the competition.
"This edition of the programme fell short of the high standards Blue Peter viewers quite rightly expect," said Blue Peter editor Richard Marson."This edition of the programme fell short of the high standards Blue Peter viewers quite rightly expect," said Blue Peter editor Richard Marson.
"We are very sorry for the way this competition was conducted.""We are very sorry for the way this competition was conducted."
Blue Peter will broadcast an apology to viewers on Wednesday's edition of the show. A winner will also be chosen from the callers who contacted the programme on 27 November, 2006. Blue Peter has been on the air for more than 50 yearsBlue Peter will broadcast an apology to viewers on Wednesday's edition of the show.
The competition will also be re-run, with a winner chosen from the callers who contacted the programme on 27 November, 2006.
"I would like to apologise unequivocally to viewers, to all the children who took part in the competition," said Mr Deverell."I would like to apologise unequivocally to viewers, to all the children who took part in the competition," said Mr Deverell.
"We have already apologised directly to the child involved and her family for this incident.""We have already apologised directly to the child involved and her family for this incident."
Mr Deverell called the faking of the competition an "exceptional incident", and said the person responsible had acted "in a panic".
But speaking to Radio Five Live he refused to rule out the possibility that staff would be sacked over the incident.
A freephone number - 08000 565 363 - is available for viewers who took part in the competition and would like more information.A freephone number - 08000 565 363 - is available for viewers who took part in the competition and would like more information.
Viewers can also find information on the CBBC website following today's Blue Peter broadcast.Viewers can also find information on the CBBC website following today's Blue Peter broadcast.