BBC STAFF ASKED TO WATCH TOP OF THE POPS

Due to the bungled licensing legislation rushed through by the government, the BBC has found itself unable to let audiences into its TV Centre studios - which means BBC employees are being asked to make up the numbers.

BBC DG Mark Thompson has been sending emails round asking them to come along and watch TOTP and Strictly Dance Fever, although the recent rounds of job cuts have left the Corporation so light of workers that even that's likely to bring in enough people to fill the studios.

Thompson is believed to be planning to send a similar email asking staff to turn up as part of the TV audience when the show goes out, too, although unions warn that might be beyond the limits of endurance.

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