'EastEnders' rapped over phone blunder

[Perdita]

BBC soap EastEnders has been rapped by Ofcom after a woman's phone number was accidentally displayed in an episode of the serial.

Beautician Lisa Edwards complained to the media regulator after receiving nearly 3,000 unwanted text messages because her business mobile number appeared on screen on Ricky Butcher's (Sid Owen) phone.

The instalment in question aired on September 7 last year and Edwards's number was seen as Ricky received an SMS from ex-partner Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook). Immediately above Sam's text were two messages which clearly showed Edwards's number.

Ofcom today confirmed that it had upheld Edwards's complaint, ruling that the footage "was an unwarranted infringement of [her] privacy".

The watchdog added that the broadcast had led to "a series of unwanted and abusive telephone calls and texts being received by Mrs Edwards".

Meanwhile, the BBC confirmed that it had conducted an investigation to determine how the businesswoman's number had ended up on a prop phone, but could not provide an explanation "with any certainty".

The corporation added that the number of nuisance calls and texts could have been inflated after Edwards spoke to The Sun about her experience. Her number was clearly displayed in a screen capture that the newspaper published to accompany the story.

Edwards has already received both verbal and written apologies from the BBC over the matter.

[moonstorm]

That was a big oopps, poor woman must have been dirven mad.

[Siobhan]

"The corporation added that the number of nuisance calls and texts could have been inflated after Edwards spoke to The Sun about her experience. Her number was clearly displayed in a screen capture that the newspaper published to accompany the story."

so some of this is her own fault.. she talked to newspapers about her number and which episode so people are going to go back and find it. I am sure if she said nothing to the newspapers it would have been forgotten about.. most people think those numbers are fake like 555 numbers in American TV shows

[moonstorm]

Himmmm she seems a bit of a silly billy, for want of better words :lol:

[Perdita]

Obviously wanter her 15 minutes of fame which resulted in over 3000 unwanted text messages :rotfl:

[Siobhan]

Obviously wanter her 15 minutes of fame which resulted in over 3000 unwanted text messages :rotfl:

seriously, who allows a national paper show a screenshot of her number all over the paper???

[sean slater]

This is crazy! You would make up all the numbers, I cant see how that would happen at all. I dont think this article is going to help her not receive any more phone calls, when everyone knows which clip everyones complaining about.

[Perdita]

What I can't understand is why would people try to phone a number they see in a TV programme :lol: I would never be tempted

[alan45]

THE BBC has been rapped after a mum was plagued by obscene calls and texts after her mobile phone number was shown on EastEnders.
Character Ricky Butcher was seen receiving texts from wayward missus Sam Mitchell as he sat eating chips in an episode of the BBC1 soap in September.

But the number on his mobile screen - which was shown for four seconds - actually belonged to beautician Lisa Edwards, 38, of Alvechurch, Worcs.

She was immediately besieged by calls, texts and voicemails from strangers.

Several asked: "Is that Sam from EastEnders?"

Some asked for a date and others were seeking sex.

In two hours Lisa had more than 500 calls and hundreds of texts - and received another huge batch after the BBC1 episode was re-run on BBC3.

In all, she received nearly 3,000 text messages.

Frantic Lisa, who lives with hubby Dave and kids Jody, 19, and Jack, 16, said at the time: "The calls just keep coming and I can't use my phone for my business.

"Most have been friendly but quite a few were obscene."

The texts shown on TV were REAL ones sent by Lisa to a friend and business client a fortnight ago.

The mum fired off complaints to the BBC, phone provider O2 and telly watchdog Ofcom while EastEnders apologised to her.

But Ofcom yesterday found the BBC in breach of the broadcasting code after conducting an investigation.

Ofcom upheld Lisa's complaint, describing it as an "unwarranted infringement of privacy".

It said: "Ofcom found that Mrs Edwards would not have expected her business mobile telephone number to appear on screen during an episode of a soap opera."

The BBC told the regulator that the phone number had been displayed by accident - but said it was unable to explain "with any certainty" how it happened.

It said it had tried to find out how the texts had come to be sent to the prop phone, one of a number it uses on the soap, saying a network fault or misdialled number could have been to blame.

It said it had since overhauled its procedures in relation to the use of mobile phones and phone numbers on screen.



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/2948478/EastEnders-broke-privacy-rules.html#ixzz0mDzo6Cp7