Richard Marson

Richard Marson is an English writer, television producer and director,^[1] notable as the former editor in chief of Blue Peter^[2]—a BBC television program for children.^[3] Acting as the program's "unofficial historian",^[4] Marson directed and produced a number of documentaries, including: Children's TV on Trial and Upstairs Downstairs Remembered.^[5] In September 2007, Marson was sacked from his post for making an editorial decision on the naming of the new Blue Peter cat, thus overriding the results of online vote on the programme in January 2006.^[6][7]

Early life

Marson won his first Blue Peter badge in 1972, which influenced him to pursue a career with the BBC in 1988. He worked on many flagship programs including Going Live!, Top of the Pops and eventually Blue Peter. Following a brief five years as a freelance job as a Producer and Director for such companies like Disney, Planet 24 and LWT, Marson returned to the BBC to direct Record Breakers^[8] and Tomorrow's World^[9] and eventually joined Blue Peter as a Producer in 1998.^[10] Marson became first the Series Producer and then the Editor of the show, before being sacked in September 2007.^[1]

Competition rigging fiasco

In October 2006, the children's show, Blue Peter, ran a competition called 'Whose Shoes?'. More than 13,800 people entered, with calls costing 10p each, including 3.25p for a Unicef charity.^[2] Due to a technical difficulties the researcher was unable to access the callers' details and subsequently select the winner from a guest in the studio without referring the decision to the Editor, Deputy Editor or producer.^[6][11] Along with this, the Blue Peter staff ignored the result of the online poll to name a new kitten, ignoring the winning name—"Cookie"—and calling the pet "Socks" instead. According to former editor Biddy Baxter's book 'Dear Blue Peter' (see page 283), Marson "had been so concerned about the accuracy of the online votes he made an editorial decision that the kitten (with its four white paws) should be named 'Socks' rather than 'Cookie'. Richard was an inspired editor. His dismissal was a great blow to the programme." Due to Marson's handling and failure to report the incident, he was sacked from CBBC. He had already left Blue Peter in July 2007. Blue Peter was fined £50,000 by Ofcom.^[12]

The BBC subsequently apologized for the gaffe.^[13]

Son's death

Richard Marson's son Rupert Marson, 14, died at their St. Albans home, eight months following his father's sacking.^[14][15] Police were called to the house on the morning of 8 June 2008, whereupon Rupert Marson was pronounced dead at the scene.^[16] A memorial service was held the following week.^[17] At the inquest a verdict of 'accidental death' was declared and the Coroner in charge, Edward Thomas, severely criticised the inaccurate reporting of the national press which 'compounded the distress of family and friends'.^[18]

References