BBC show faces probe

Updated 22.00 Tue Feb 27 2007

Keywords: Saturday, BBC, Kitchen

BBC show Saturday Kitchen is to be investigated by watchdogs over claims it misled viewers.

Viewers are said to have been asked to vote for which meal Eamonn Holmes should eat on the programme, when he was actually presenting a slot for Radio 5 Live at the time.

The BBC has announced that all future editions of the BBC1 cookery show must be broadcast live.

Premium phone watchdog ICSTIS said it was investigating allegations that viewers were asked to vote on whether a celebrity guest should get his `heaven' or `hell' dish despite the programme being pre-recorded.

The BBC has said "neither the programme makers nor the BBC profits from phonelines on the programme."

A BBC spokesman said that any "residual" money from these lines was donated to a charity nominated by the corporation.

The daytime TV scandal blew up when it emerged that viewers were being encouraged to ring a £1-a-time competition on Channel 4's Richard and Judy show after all contestants had already been selected.

Channel 4 is currently investigating whether the problem also happened in previous years.