1-O LINEKER!

YES, it was a sport blackout ­ and aliens landing from space might have been bemused to find the BBC facing an existential crisis over a retired footballer’s recent tweet criticising Government’s asylum policy.

But then the BBC’s faced a number of controversies, hasn’t it? Most recently, criticism of its impartiality and independence following the appointment of Richard Sharp as chairman. Sharp's close ties to the Conservative Party (helping Boris Johnson with a dodgy loan) raised concerns about his ability to remain impartial and independent in his new role.

But perhaps the organisation’s most serious controversy in recent years was the Martin Bashir scandal. In 1995, Bashir, a journalist working for its flagship news program, Panorama, secured an interview with Princess Diana that became one of the most watched television events in history. However, in 2021, it was revealed that Bashir had used deceptive tactics to secure the interview, including falsifying bank statements and lying to Diana's brother, Charles Spencer. The revelations led to widespread criticism of the organisation and calls for accountability.

Then there was the criticism the BBC faced over its handling of the scandal involving Jimmy Savile who was posthumously revealed to have sexually abused hundreds of children and adults over several decades. Critics argued that the BBC, which had employed Savile for many years, had turned a blind eye to his behaviour and failed to take action to protect vulnerable people.

Another controversy that has also plagued the BBC involved allegations of pay inequality. In 2017, it was revealed that many of its highest­paid presenters were men, leading to accusations of gender bias and discrimination. The controversy led to the resignation of several high­profile female presenters like Carrie Gracie and Jane Garvey.

In addition to these scandals, the BBC has also suffered from the loss of key presenters. Notable departures include Jeremy Clarkson, fired from its flagship motoring show, Top Gear, after a physical altercation with a producer, Chris Evans, who stepped down as the host of its flagship breakfast show, Radio 2 Breakfast Show, after just one year and Fiona Bruce, who quit her role as presenter of "Antiques Roadshow" in 2020. These departures certainly raised concerns about the organisation's ability to retain top talent and to continue to deliver high­quality programming.

Despite these controversies and challenges, the BBC remains one of the most im­ portant and influential broadcasters in the world. It continues to produce, generally speaking, a wide range of high­quality content, including news, current affairs, drama and entertainment, and remains a trusted source of information for millions around the world.

But looking to the future, it faces several significant challenges, including increasing competition from streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, changing audience habits and ongoing pressure to remain financially sustainable.

Overall, while the BBC has faced significant problems and crises in recent years, its future success will undoubtedly depend not only on its ability to remain true to its core values of impartiality, quality and innovation but also on its ability to adapt to a fast changing world.

But above all, BBC, cut the controversies and scandals – just TELL the story, don’t be it!

Nora Johnson’s 11 critically acclaimed psychological crime thrillers (www.nora­johnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99;£0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

St Patrick’s Day LETTERS

IT was great to see so many events go on along the coast, it was a sea of green and Guinness hats around me. The laughter, the music, the fun. How it is great to be Irish on St Patrick’s Day. I wish there were more parades and activities but hopefully that will just come with time. The events obviously differ depending on what region you are in but wow did it seem to go well in Benalmadena. The Irish Association did really well to organise that, my cousin lives on the Costa del Sol and gosh was I jealous. I know where I’ll be going next year!

Susy, Mallorca

Mother’s Day

I HAD such a great Mother’s Day and the fact that it coincidentally fell on Spanish Father’s Day, how great to be able to celebrate both parents on the same day! Great for celebration purposes, killing two birds with one stone, but my wallet felt it. We are originally from Birmingham and moved over here in ‘98 but we like to celebrate both UK and Spanish holidays. Tt can get a bit confusing at times but it is good so we’re in tune with home and the local culture.

Tony, Birmingham

Driving licences

I CAN DRIVE AGAIN!!!! Nobody understands how excited I am that I can drive again. I can’t wait for the trips to the other regions bringing my dog and taking her out on the beaches. Living in the campo is great, but with no real way of getting down and going places you can be restricted when you don’t have a car. Hopefully this process is nice, easy and simple... wouldn’t it be nice. Time to get the licence out of the safe and exchange it over. I wonder how different it will look in comparison to the UK one...

With love, Julie

Rental prices

WITH the rental prices going up no wonder young people are finding it difficult to move out and go to university with the 8 per cent increase here in Spain. Over a year I know how much it is affecting me and it is a genuine worry I have for my daughter. Her dream is to study in Madrid and by studying it also means living and I don’t know how it is going to work out. We need more help for the young ones studying, they should all be given the opportunity to study, go to the university that they have been accepted to and just study ­ not have to work. But I am afraid that is what Ellie might have to do. Has anyone got any advice?

An expat not wanting to say bye.

The weather!

I CAN’T believe how spectacular the weather has been over the last few weeks and if anyone is reading and trying to figure out when to come to Spain, book your tickets now! I am getting photos and videos, my Facebook is filled with pictures of the snow back home but here it is gorgeous! I can’t get over it. It’s 22 degrees and getting higher. I am excited for my tan to come back and to be able to swim in the pool and sea. That is something I will say though and be warned the pools and sea are still a bit nippy.

Betty

The Mediterranean Diet

AFTER reading that article last week I totally agree, the lifestyle, food and more is something that has helped me a lot. I was two stone heavier in the UK, rarely ever got out and it was too cold to walk throughout the winter months, while over here it is the complete opposite. I have a quality of life over here and I am able to do and experience things I never would have thought possible. I go out, I am walking all the time and I have new friends.

Mary

Investment in Spain

THE amount of FDI sent into Spain is amazing and I think this is something that should really be taken into consideration. The likes of Marbella being called the Golden Mile isn’t for nothing and the fact that there is constant and consistent investment says a lot and I think that the close­by neighbourhoods are what will be built up next. Of course, people can say and do whatever they like about things, but I think I will be putting some of my funds into a nice flat for me and the missus and even if we don’t see anything out of it well hopefully the kids do.

Thoughtful thinking from Jo

Dropping off

WELL we always say nodding off over here and its typical for me to nod off to sleep in less than five minutes and apparently that means I am sleep deprived. I just sleep when I can and I think I do get the recommended hours I can. You know how people say about being something in a past life, well I must have been an email that slept an awful lot, Sloth perhaps? Even after coffee I fall asleep, does it have that affect on anyone else? I am out like a light.

Too much sleep, Glenn