BBC apology for 'rude' plant chat

[khay 10]

The BBC has apologised for an innuendo-filled discussion on Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time last year.

 

Presenters made a string of jokes after an audience member asked for advice on the Rhodochiton Volubilis, colloquially known as "the black man's willy".

 

The debate prompted some listeners to complain of racial stereotyping.

 

Producers initially defended the segment as "entertaining", but the BBC's editorial complaints unit ruled that use of the name was unacceptable.

 

It said the discussion was potentially offensive "in ways not fully appreciated when the matter was first considered".

 

'Misconstrued'

 

 

With hindsight, we believe it would have been preferable to omit the item

BBC statement

Radio 4 management agreed the item should not have been broadcast.

 

"Potential for racial offence is not always an easy thing to gauge," said the BBC in a statement.

 

"In this case, there was nothing derogatory of black people in the language used."

 

"Nevertheless, it is clear that some listeners did infer a derogatory intention," it added.

 

"We regret this. With hindsight, we believe it would have been preferable to omit the item from the programme because of the risk that it could be misconstrued."

 

'Shrivel up'

 

During the discussion, which was recorded at the Chilcompton Gardening Club in Somerset last October, the panellists giggled as they discussed the plant.

 

Bob Flowerdew admitted he had "only ever seen one close up - and not that colour".

 

Anne Swithinbank claimed: "I've never seen one in my life...They don't really like the cold, as you can imagine.

 

"They shrivel up and look very unhappy."

 

At the time, producer Trevor Taylor went on the station's Feedback programme to defend the segment, saying innuendo had "been a part of Radio 4 for decades".

 

The editorial complaints unit did not agree with listeners who said it was inappropriate to air the segment at a time when large numbers of children might be listening, as youngsters only formed a small proportion of the audience.

[luckyluke 2]

Reminiscant of Renton talking enthusiastically at length on the penile sizes of various ethnic groups.