Callers to premium-rate phone competitions on the GMTV breakfast show have been defrauded out of millions of pounds, the BBC has learned.
Callers to premium-rate phone competitions on the GMTV breakfast show have been defrauded out of millions of pounds, a BBC investigation has found.
Panorama found shortlists of potential winners to GMTV were finalised "long before" phone lines closed, meaning subsequent entrants had no chance.
Panorama found a company working for GMTV had been finalising shortlists of potential winners "long before" phone lines closed, for the past four years.
The programme estimates the amount of money these people spent trying to enter was £45,000 a day or £10m a year.
GMTV has moved to suspend all phone-ins, but said it was confident it had not breached regulators' codes.
But GMTV said it was "confident" it did not breach industry regulators' codes.
The phone operator, Opera Interactive Technology, denied any wrongdoing.
It accepted Panorama had uncovered "certain irregularities" in the way their phone-operator had managed their interactive services in the past.
Panorama estimated people spent £45,000 a day or £10m a year trying to enter the GMTV competitions, but said many had no hope of winning once the shortlists had been finalised.
But it added its competitions were being run in accordance with telecoms regulator Ofcom's and premium rate watchdog Icstis's codes.
GMTV presenters Penny Smith and John Stapelton told viewers on Monday: "GMTV knew nothing of this and is shocked to hear of these allegations.
"We are investigating further but do anticipate bringing our competitions back as soon as possible."
GMTV added that its competitions were being run in accordance with the codes of telecoms regulator Ofcom and premium rate watchdog Icstis.
Independent review
Independent review
Panorama said the fraud happened at the programme's phone-operator Opera Interactive Technology.
Panorama said tens of thousands of calls and texts had been made to GMTV competitions every morning since 2003, but Opera had finalised shortlists of potential winners before the phone lines closed.
It said tens of thousands of calls and texts were made to GMTV competitions every morning for the past four years, but Opera had finalised shortlists of potential winners before the phone lines closed.
Panorama also alleged Opera sales director Mark Nuttall had discovered what was going on in 2003 and sent an e-mail to staff telling them to keep it secret from GMTV.
To find out that I wasn't [in with a chance] makes me really angry and I want my money back Samantha Pedder
To find out that I wasn't [in with a chance] makes me really angry and I want my money back Samantha Pedder
But Opera has denied any wrongdoing.
But Opera has denied any wrongdoing.
It said it had conducted a preliminary investigation into the findings, and said there was "not a shred of truth" in any of the allegations.
It said it had conducted a preliminary investigation into the findings, and said there was "not a shred of truth" in any of the allegations.
Panorama said Ofcom has launched a formal investigation following a complaint against GMTV and Opera. But Ofcom has not confirmed that it is related to the same issue.
Panorama said Ofcom has launched a formal investigation following a complaint against GMTV and Opera. But Ofcom has not confirmed that it is related to the same issue.
GMTV said in a statement: "The Panorama investigation has uncovered certain irregularities in the way Opera has been managing GMTV interactive services in the past. GMTV was not aware of these irregularities."
In a statement, GMTV said the Panorama investigation had uncovered "certain irregularities" in the way Opera had managed its interactive services but GMTV had not been aware of these irregularities.
Panorama expects thousands of GMTV viewers to be furious at the findings.
GMTV said it had conducted an independent review last month, through Deloitte, of its and Opera's interactive systems and processes.
Samantha Pedder, 37, from Saffron Walden, told the programme: "I've spent near on £1,000, but you think, 'Well I'm in with a chance'.
"This review has now been completed and we feel confident, on the basis of Deloitte's findings and our own research, that our competitions are being operated fully in accordance with the codes and that no finalists are being selected before lines have closed," GMTV said.
Really angry
Samantha Pedder, 37, from Saffron Walden, told Panorama: "I've spent near on £1,000, but you think, 'Well I'm in with a chance'.
"To find out that I wasn't makes me really angry and I want my money back."
"To find out that I wasn't makes me really angry and I want my money back."
GMTV said last month it had conducted an independent review, through Deloitte, of its and Opera's interactive systems and processes.
The claims made by Panorama are the latest in a series of allegations concerning the use by TV broadcasters of premium-rate phone lines to raise revenue.
"Deloitte has now completed its review. On the basis of information available and Deloitte's findings, we are confident that our competitions are being operated in accordance with Ofcom and Icstis codes," GMTV said.
It added it was putting in "further control measures to ensure that compliance is maintained".
The claims made by Panorama are the latest in a series of allegations concerning the use by TV broadcasters of premium rate phone lines to raise revenue.
The BBC programme also explores similar controversies over a competition run on the Richard and Judy Show and Blue Peter.
The BBC programme also explores similar controversies over a competition run on the Richard and Judy Show and Blue Peter.
Blue Peter recently apologised because a member of the show's production team asked a girl visiting the studio to pose as the winning contestant in a phone-in competition because of "technical problem".
Blue Peter recently apologised because a member of the show's production team asked a girl visiting the studio to pose as the winning contestant in a phone-in competition because of a "technical problem".
Panorama: TV's Dirty Secrets can be seen on BBC One at 2030 BST on Monday 23 April
Panorama: TV's Dirty Secrets can be seen on BBC One at 2030 BST on Monday 23 April
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