Nicholas Witchell and Chaz

[buchanan]

What has Nicholas Wtchell done to so p*** off Prince Charles?  Just saw a cringey bit of footage on Channel 4 news with HRH sawing "Glad you've heard of it" in response to the Ginger ones question about the upcoming marriage followed under his breath (not) by "I can't stand that man he really is dreadful" -  so what terrible crimes is NW guilty of?

[Quizmonster]

It was perfectly clear that the "that man" Prince Charles was referring to was Nicholas Witchell. However, on both their lunchtime and 6 PM news broadcasts, the BBC tried to present the incident as if it was just journalists in general rather than their own 'Royal Correspondent' being commented on. They really are so self-defensive it's unbelievable!

I have to say I totally agree with the Prince, which is saying something coming from a republican such as me.

[jno]

He also muttered 'bloody people' and 'I hate doing this', which implies he loathes all journalists. I expect the Beeb just concentrated on the insult to Witchell out of esprit de corps! Given yesterday's revelations about how he fiddles his tax -how many millions extra do you and I have to pay to make up for the money he's improperly withheld? - I don't see why journalists shouldn't keep an eye on him... perhaps Klosters is some sort of tax haven?

[kempie]

'Bloody royals' are exactly like every other (non) celebrity - actively courting good (for their cause) publicity whilst simultaneously claiming intrusion into their private lives.

Oh for the day when we are finally rid of these media ******.

[kempie]

It appears AB objects to my use of the synonym of hoes

[Chillum]

Prince Harry - red hair, Nicholas Witchell - red hair, ..I'll say no more.

[slimfandango]

Um...I think I'm imagining too many angles on that comment.

[Headtime]

Quizzie, whilst you are right on the money 99.99999999999999% of the time, in this instance the BBC reports made it unequivocally clear Chaz was talking about Nick Witchell.

In the report he Mr Witchell shows himself asking a question; "8 days now to the wedding can I ask you how you are feeling, can I ask William and Harry how they are feeling"... And then immediately following their replies shows the Prince saying "These bloody people. I can't bear that man. I mean he's so awful, he really is." The viewer is left in no doubt as to who Charles is referring to.

And later in a "2-Way" with the studio Mr Witchell starts by saying "I AM that awful man it seems."

Click on the BBC News Website; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4396515.stm

And then click "BBC reporter Nicholas Witchell reacts to the prince's remarks". For a video of the journalist responding.

No attempt whatsoever is made to disguise the fact that the comments were about him! In fact quite the reverse.

It's a great story.. Charles is clearly a buffoon, if after all that has happened in his life, he STILL doesn't know how to deal with the media.

[Quizmonster]

Dear Headtime, I looked at the video you provided the link for and it was most certainly not what was shown on the BBC's News at One or News at Six...unless my attention wandered on both occasions. I saw no 2-way with the studio. (I am getting on, you know! Oh, and sometimes I drift away to watch 'The Simpsons' after hearing the 6 PM headlines.) Perhaps it was on News at Ten?

Witchell is known among media folk as the Poison Carrot, so they, Prince Charles and I are all in complete agreement.

[luckyboy]

In defence of witchell...i thought he asked a perfectly innocent question, in which charles acted like a complete child in response, witchell is one of a few journos who are so royalist its untrue..i would have had a lot more sympathy for him if his comments was aimed at the media in general, but it was the same old story when under pressure blame auntie beeb, rather than the mass ranks of murdock and rothermere, the beeb have always been the whipping boy.

[jennymac]

I used to be a staunch royalist but not anymore (Since the Diana fiasco) .  What they dont seem to realise is we pay their wages and we have every right to ask and say what is on our minds and if they dont like it they can take their money they have already taken from us and crawl into some hole where they belong.

[buchanan]

Dear All, cracking comments all round (3 stars) - he is a curmudgeonly old g*t isn't he. Think the succession needs to skip a generation to the far more grown up William,  Charles is far too tainted now.

[Headtime]

Mr Quizmonster. The Poisoned Carrot did do a 2-Way from Klosters for both the One and Six O'Clock News. However in fairness to you I think the link I sent you was actually a recording of a 2-way he did for BBC News 24 - but still broadcast by the BBC.

And In fairness to myself, I still maintain that those BBC reports were not, in anway, trying to disguise the fact the Charles's comments were clearly about Lord Witchell!

And whilst I see that Witchell can appear pompous and arrogant, he does actually maintain a healthy level of objectiveness and cynicism about the Royal family, and never produces any of those fawning pieces that Jenny Bond was so fond of.

Incidentally, he is now known, by some in BBC News, as the Ginger Weed. Named after his recent reports on the "Jangaweed" militia in Sudan.

[malajusted1]

Nicholas witchell once presented the BBC's flagship 6 oclock news, but left after enduring death threats and hatred, even he was baffled but did say that there was a lot of references to his red hair.....

[silly moo]

Jennymac - Are you sure we pay their wages?
I was under the impression that the Queen pays more in tax than she gets back from the civil list.
Also Charles pays rather a lot of tax.
I am much more worried about the amount of money politicians get for all their freebie travels etc.