BBC Breakfast star warned by friend she was becoming too 'fame-obsessed'
The 43-year-old stepped into the broadcasting role at the Beeb after first answering the phones for Radio 4's Money Box while at university.
She went on to become a current affairs researcher at the BBC and then the producer of the financial news on the Today programme, before stepping in front of the camera for BBC Breakfast.
The ex-business reporter and host of former Channel 4 show Steph's Packed Lunch has now spoken about the effect that being recognised in public had on her early in her career.
McGovern told The Times she 'fell for' the buzz of presenting and the fame that came with her position, so much so her friend Rach ended up saying something.
She told the publication: 'I was in a restaurant not long after I'd got the job and a group of blokes sent over a bottle of champagne to my table, like, 'Whey! Doing it for the northerners'.
'People were always getting photos and stuff, which was really lovely, but my mate was like, 'You are turning into a bit of a nob'.
'Everywhere we went I was, 'Ooh, I wonder if I'll get recognised'. And she'd be like, 'Ah, shut up. Come on'. When she said it I thought, 'I don't want to be a TV nob'. And I went, 'You're right'.' More Trending
McGovern also spoke about being more careful about what she shares online now, ever since she discovered she had a stalker while presenting on the BBC.
The presenter says she was 'oversharing' at the time and now never discusses her partner and doesn't post her location or photos of her house.
McGovern's flagship Channel 4 daytime show came to an end in 2023, after the broadcaster axed it due to low viewership.
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Since then, she appeared in Netflix's Celebrity Bear Hunt, which pitted a bunch of celebs against the wiles of Bear Grylls and saw McGovern finish a finalist. She also hosts The Rest Is Money podcast with Robert Peston.
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Powys County Times
31 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
BBC music boss reportedly steps back from duties after Bob Vylan set decision
The BBC's director of music Lorna Clarke has stepped back from her day-to-day duties after controversy over the broadcaster's decision to show punk duo Bob Vylan's Glastonbury Festival set live, according to reports in The Times. It comes after singer Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, led crowds in chants of 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their set on Saturday afternoon. In a statement on Thursday, the BBC admitted it had assessed the Ipswich-formed act as 'high risk' before Glastonbury but deemed them suitable for live streaming before later saying this was 'clearly not the case', and apologising for the group's 'deplorable behaviour'. Clarke is reported to have stepped back from her responsibilities, which include overseeing six radio networks and live music events, while an investigation takes place, while a small group of senior BBC staff responsible for music and live events are also said to have stepped back. Following the incident, the BBC confirmed it would no longer live stream acts it deems 'high risk'. In the statement released on Thursday, the BBC said: 'We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community. 'We are also unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC. 'It is clear that errors were made both in the lead-up to and during Bob Vylan's appearance. We think it's important to set out some of the detail around the streaming of this performance. 'Bob Vylan were deemed high risk following a risk assessment process applied to all acts appearing at Glastonbury. Seven acts including Bob Vylan were included in this category and they were all deemed suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations. 'Prior to Glastonbury, a decision was taken that compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the live stream – through the use of language or content warnings – without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case.' It added: 'Given the failings that have been acknowledged we are taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for those failings in the live broadcast. We will not comment further on those processes at this time. 'Furthermore, as a result we will make immediate changes to live streaming music events. 'Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.' Since the performance, Avon and Somerset Police have launched an investigation into the comments made during the group's West Holts Stage set. It has also emerged that the group were already under investigation by police for comments made at a performance one month before Glastonbury. Video footage appears to show Bobby Vylan at Alexandra Palace telling crowds: 'Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF.' The group issued a statement on Tuesday claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up'. The band have also had their US visas revoked, ahead of their tour later this year, were pulled from their Saturday headline slot at Radar festival in Manchester and from an upcoming performance at a German music venue. Bob Vylan are expected to perform at the Boardmasters surfing and music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, in August. The group is known for addressing political issues in their music including racism, masculinity and class, and have released four albums in Dread (2019), We Live Here (2020), Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life (2022), and Humble As The Sun (2024).
The Guardian
35 minutes ago
- The Guardian
BBC to drop ‘high risk' live performances after Bob Vylan Glastonbury set
The BBC has said it was wrong to believe the punk duo Bob Vylan were 'suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations' for their performance at Glastonbury festival, despite ranking them as 'high risk' before the event. In a statement signalling there would be repercussions for those blamed for the failure, the corporation said any musical performances deemed to be high risk would now not be broadcast live or streamed live. Those overseeing such events would also be given more support and provided with 'more detailed, practical guidance on the threshold for withdrawing a live stream', it said. Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, led chants of 'death, death to the IDF', referring to the Israel Defense Forces, at Glastonbury last Saturday. The BBC initially placed a warning on screen for viewers, but later said it regretted not intervening by pulling the live stream. The BBC director general, Tim Davie, was at the festival in the hours after the set and ordered the content not to feature in any further BBC coverage, but technical issues meant it remained on the iPlayer for several hours. Davie has come under significant pressure from the government over the Bob Vylan performance, as well as facing questions over a Gaza documentary pulled from iPlayer. Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, said this week that one editorial error was 'something that must be gripped. When you have several, it becomes a problem of leadership.' However, Davie was backed by the BBC's chair, Samir Shah, who said that while the incident was 'unquestionably an error of judgment', he praised Davie's reaction to it. 'He took immediate action and instructed the team to withdraw the performance from on-demand coverage,' he said. Both Davie and Shah apologised for the live broadcast. 'The board fully supports the director general and the swift actions taken by him and his team to identify these errors and address them,' Shah said. The BBC is lining up disciplinary action against others who were directly involved. 'Given the failings that have been acknowledged, we are taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for those failings in the live broadcast,' it said in a statement. 'We will not comment further on those processes at this time.' In its statement, the BBC said due diligence had been carried out on the band, but the wrong decision had been taken thereafter. 'Bob Vylan were deemed high risk following a risk assessment process applied to all acts appearing at Glastonbury,' it said. 'Seven acts including Bob Vylan were included in this category and they were all deemed suitable for livestreaming with appropriate mitigations. 'Prior to Glastonbury, a decision was taken that compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the live stream – through the use of language or content warnings – without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case. 'During the performance, the live stream was monitored in line with the agreed compliance protocols and a number of issues were escalated. Warnings appeared on the stream on two occasions and the editorial team took the decision not to cut the feed. This was an error.' Writing to staff, Davie said: 'I deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to say sorry – to our audience and to all of you, but in particular to Jewish colleagues and the Jewish community. 'We are unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at the BBC. I and everyone need to ensure that the BBC is a role model for inclusivity and tolerance and we all have a part to play. We are utterly committed to creating an environment where everyone is supported and can do their very best work.' Since Glastonbury, the band have said they have been 'targeted for speaking up' over Gaza. 'We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people,' they said. '[We] are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction. 'The government doesn't want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity? To ask why they aren't doing more to stop the killing? To feed the starving?'
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
BBC's £215,000-a-year head of music 'is stood down from duties' as corporation admits it rated Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set as 'high risk' but STILL let it air live anyway
The BBC's head of music has stepped back from her role after the corporation admitted that punk duo Bob Vylan were assessed as 'high risk' before their performance at Glastonbury - and yet still allowed on air. Lorna Clarke is among a small number of senior staff who have temporarily withdrawn from their day-to-day duties covering music and live events, it emerged today. Clarke, who is on an annual salary of £215,000, was stood down so she could focus on the investigation into why the BBC failed to cut the feed during Bob Vylan's appearance, The Times Reports. It comes after the corporation has faced a furious backlash following last Sunday's set that included the duo's frontman calling out 'Death to the IDF' and 'Free Palestine'. The performance at the West Holts Stage was livestreamed but the organisation later expressed regret for not stopping its broadcast of the set. Earlier today the corporation revealed it has told 'a small number of senior staff' to step back from their day-to-day duties on music and live events, the BBC said. And the broadcaster's director general Tim Davie - who was attending the festival in Somerset - has today issued a personal apology. Bob Vylan, who uses the identity Bobby Vylan but whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, led calls of 'Death to the IDF' and 'Free Palestine' from a stage at Glastonbury last weekend Bob Vylan, who formed eight years ago in London, have previously refused to reveal their real names because of what they call the 'surveillance state' Lorna Clarke (pictured) was among a small number of senior staff who have temporarily withdrawn from their day-to-day duties covering music and live events. Clarke has been stood down so she can focus on the investigation into why the BBC failed to cut the feed during Bob Vylan's appearance A BBC spokesperson said this afternoon: 'Given the failings that have been acknowledged we are taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for those failings in the live broadcast.' They added: 'We would urge people not to speculate, particularly in relation to any individuals.' Clarke has 30 years of broadcasting experience and has worked for the corporation for the BBC for 19 years. Her duties include managing six radio stations and overseeing live music broadcasts. Bob Vylan's singer refers to himself as Bobby Vylan while the drummer goes by Bobbie Vylan although their real names are, respectively, Pascal Robinson-Foster and Wade Laurence George. Avon and Somerset Police said on Monday it had launched a probe into the performance after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with the apparearance 'recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage'. It has since emerged that the group were already under investigation by police for comments made at a concert one month before Glastonbury. Bob Vylan's performance at the West Holts Stage was livestreamed by the BBC but the organisation later expressed regret for not stopping its broadcast of the set The Bob Vylan rapper's real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster - he formed the band in his hometown Ipswich Video footage appears to show Bobby Vylan at Alexandra Palace in north London telling crowds: 'Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF.' The rap group issued a statement on Tuesday claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up' after Avon and Somerset police began its investigation. The BBC has been widely criticised for continuing to livestream the performance on iPlayer with on-screen warnings about discriminatory language. In a fresh statement issued today, the BBC said: 'We fully understand the strength of feeling regarding Bob Vylan's live appearance at Glastonbury on the BBC. 'We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community. 'We are also unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC. 'It is clear that errors were made both in the lead-up to and during Bob Vylan's appearance. We think it's important to set out some of the detail around the streaming of this performance. 'Bob Vylan were deemed high risk following a risk assessment process applied to all acts appearing at Glastonbury. 'Seven acts including Bob Vylan were included in this category and they were all deemed suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations. 'Prior to Glastonbury, a decision was taken that compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the live stream - through the use of language or content warnings - without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case. 'During the performance, the live stream was monitored in line with the agreed compliance protocols and a number of issues were escalated. 'Warnings appeared on the stream on two occasions and the editorial team took the decision not to cut the feed. This was an error.' The BBC said that from now on music performances deemed high risk would not be broadcast live or streamed live. The statement went on: 'The Director-General was subsequently made aware of what had happened and instructed the team that none of the performance should feature in further coverage. Chants of 'death, death to the IDF' prompted calls for the band members to be arrested over claims they had incited violence Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury on Saturday afternoon was broadcast by the BBC - the corporation has now issued a new statement expressing regrets about the livestream 'The team prioritised stopping the performance from featuring on demand. This meant that no downloads of Bob Vylan's set were available on iPlayer or Sounds. 'However, the live feed, which was showing subsequent performances from other acts on the same Glastonbury stage, remained up until it was amended shortly after 8pm while teams worked on a technical solution. 'Given the failings that have been acknowledged we are taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for those failings in the live broadcast. We will not comment further on those processes at this time. 'Furthermore, as a result we will make immediate changes to live streaming music events. 'Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live. 'Editorial Policy support will always be available on site at major music festivals and events, to improve compliance processes and the speed of available advice - and we will provide more detailed, practical guidance on the threshold for withdrawing a live stream.' BBC chair Samir Shah said in a statement: 'I'd like first of all to apologise to all our viewers and listeners and particularly the Jewish community for allowing the 'artist' Bob Vylan to express unconscionable antisemitic views live on the BBC. BBC chair Samir Shah (pictured) has apologised 'for allowing the 'artist' Bob Vylan to express unconscionable antisemitic views live on the BBC' 'This was unquestionably an error of judgement. I was very pleased to note that as soon as this came to the notice of Tim Davie - who was on the Glastonbury site at the time visiting BBC staff - he took immediate action and instructed the team to withdraw the performance from on demand coverage. 'The BBC Board met on Tuesday to hear what actions will now be taken. The Executive have agreed to put in place a set of strengthened editorial practices and policies for live music programming. 'These will be important measures to safeguard future live broadcasts from a failure such as this. The group previously won a prize for Best Alternative Music Act at the MOBO Awards at London's OVO Arena in November 2022 Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury on Saturday is now the subject of an investigation 'I am satisfied that the Executive is initiating a process to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for the failings in this incident. 'While it is important that the process is carried out fairly and correctly, it is equally important that the Executive takes decisive action. 'The Board fully supports the Director-General and the swift actions taken by him and his team to identify these errors and address them.' And Mr Davie himself said in a statement to colleagues: 'I wanted to write to you today about Bob Vylan's appearance at Glastonbury. 'I deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to say sorry - to our audience and to all of you, but in particular to Jewish colleagues and the Jewish community. 'We are unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at the BBC. I and everyone need to ensure that the BBC is a role model for inclusivity and tolerance and we all have a part to play. 'We are utterly committed to creating an environment where everyone is supported and can do their very best work. Please continue to treat each other with respect and kindness.' Bob Vylan said in their own statement shared on Instagram on Tuesday: 'Today, a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace. BBC Director General Tim Davie (pictured) has issued an apology over the broadcast 'Last week it was a Palestine pressure group, the week before that it was another band. 'We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. 'A machine whose own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary lethal force' against innocent civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza. 'We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction. 'The Government doesn't want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity? To ask why they aren't doing more to stop the killing? To feed the starving? 'The more time they talk about Bob Vylan, the less time they spend answering for their criminal inaction. We are being targeted for speaking up. 'We are not the first. We will not be the last. And if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up too. Free Palestine.'
