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Judy "angry" at television phone scandal

23/02/2007

Judy Finnigan has expressed her anger at the problems affecting the phone system for the You Say, We Pay on the Channel 4 programme Richard and Judy.

The broadcaster is investigating claims that viewers were misled into calling a premium rate quiz line on the show after a list of contestants had already been drawn up.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Judy said that she is "angry, cross and upset" and determined for the issue to be resolved as "our viewers trust us and we owe it to them".

Her husband Richard added that they are "livid" and "furious".

"I think it's a cock-up, not a conspiracy. But we'll wait and see what the inquiry turns up. We're angry on behalf of our viewers," he said.

If the allegations are true, the Daily Mirror, which broke the story after being leaked emails relating to the phone system, claims that the show would make £1 million in illicit profits.

Channel 4 has denied any suggestions that it would "knowingly mislead viewers in any way".

It is the second embarrassment for the broadcaster after it was rapped by premium rate phoneline watchdog Icstis for misleading the public by allowing a Big Brother contestant to re-enter the house despite viewers having already paid to vote them out.

"Our contract with the service provider clearly states [the show] must comply fully with the codes that govern competitions of this nature drawn up by Icstis," a statement from Channel 4 said.


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