Quirky News
BBC health and safety bosses ban aliens
Professor Brian Cox says BBC bosses banned him from listening to a distant planet on live TV - in case aliens breached editorial guidelines.
His BBC2 show, Stargazing Live, featured a planet called Threapleton Holmes B, recently discovered by two amateur astronomers.
But Prof Cox said the idea of listening to the new planet live on air was blocked by BBC health and safety regulations.
He told BBC 6 Music radio: "The BBC actually said, 'But you can't do that because we need to go through the regulations and health and safety and everything in case we discover a signal from an alien civilisation'.
"You mean we would discover the first hint that there is other intelligent life in the universe beyond Earth, live on air, and you're worried about the health and safety of it? It was incredible."
Breakfast host Shaun Keaveny added: "The idea that intelligent life could be discovered and it might swear and that's why we wouldn't broadcast it - it's such a brilliant BBC thing, isn't it."
Prof Cox also told of another bizarre run-in with BBC managers while making Stargazing Live.
He said: "We were thinking of looking for signs of geological activity which might point to life on Mars.
"Someone from the BBC said to me, 'Would there have to be a prize if someone discovered it?'.
"You're going to say to someone, you discovered the first evidence for alien life beyond Earth - and here's a book voucher as well?"
Update:
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what do you think?
David Francis
Every story I hear about the BBC makes my brain twist in anger. Can I sue?
James Stevenson
unfortunately not David, because you would be using your own money to sue them with. And remember they do not want you to think that some distant planet has a better system than them.
Debbie Potter-Vaughan
You could but they might give you a book voucher instead!
Brian E Gorton
About time BBC was shut down!! You would not make this up.What a scoop for the BBC and Britain, the first in the world to broadcast alien life.Then in steps a person with a big gob and no brain!!?
Phil A
Pity they weren't so health and safety conscious when JS was in the building.
Clive Black
Further proof that the Muppet Show cast are alive and well :-)
Windows Live User
I thought this was an old script found in a draw - The Goons - Eckles as the H&S man
Fred Spoons
BBC. Blinkered Beyond Compare
Mike
Stupidity - and yet the world seems full of such people, it's not just the Beeb. Doesn't it make you wonder how they 1. get their jobs in the first place and 2. how on earth do they manage to keep them.
James Stevenson
When the loonies are in charge, they hire their own kind, and as they are all mad, they do not notice any difference
shaun spencer
The bbc has is nervous because of previous dealings with the clangers.
stevegs850
And yet the beeb continues to show us footage of js at every opportunity.surely that in itself a breach of h&s.
blue side
Hang around is it April 1st
TIM x
BBC=BRUSSELS BROADCASTING CORPORATION. So why does any of this surprise you? :-D
andy may
the bbc used to be an institution to be proud of, now it's an embarrassment.
peter
UB DIJ OGTO ABFLEBHY HEV DOMBO IF YOU CONTACT ME I PROMISE NOT TO SWEAR IN EARTH LANGUAGE WE COME IN PEACE
Windows Live User
Isnt it time Mr Cameron made massive cutbacks on H&S and saved the UK an absolute fortune? It is more of a waste to this country than the whole benefit system. Looks like the BBC is also putting itself forward as the next candidate for austerity cuts in license fee money. To think I paid toward these people. I must be stupid.
LaborneRacing
Great investigation on this story by the guys at Orange again. On Wednesday Brian Cox and Dara O'Brian said that this "story" was a joke that Brian Cox made up. They did the joke live on air whilst at the same time actually listening to another planet!! So even before Orange published this story Brian and Dara had stated it was a joke, yet Orange still went ahead with it? Fantastic reporting!!
chrishearn350
It must have been a joke as the Planet ? is 600-3000 lights years away so they wont be hearing or seeing any BBC programs for at least 500+ years and dont hold your breath waiting for the reply!.
LaborneRacing
If the planet is 600-3000 light years away, wouldn't the signal surely take 600-3000 years considering that radio waves travel at the speed of light.
chrishearn350
Yes LaborneRacing The BBC have been transmitting for about 100 years give or take a bit so the planet wont be hearing from us for another 500-2900 years and then the same for us to get the reply . They just think the general public are thick!. They are meant to be the clever one's and they cant get the distance to within 2500 light years !?.
Mike Anon
11:24am on 8/11/2012
You couldn't make this up, could you? Health & Safety gone mad. No surprise from the jobsworths at the Beeb.