Prime Minister, Please Save The BBC, Say Daniel Craig And Co.

by HUFFPOST | Current Affairs

Daniel Craig And String Of A-List Stars Call On PM To Save BBC Because It Is 'The Envy Of The World'

Actor Daniel Craig, above in New York,
has called on David Cameron to spare the BBC
from further cuts. (Credit: via HuufPOst)

James Bond actor, Danniel Craig and a host of other A-Lister have called on Prime Minister David Cameron to save the BBC because it is the Envy of the World.

In a letter published by HUFFPOST Wednesday, Craig and others appealed to the PM to save the BBC from further cuts because "A diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain. Like all organisations, it has its faults but it is overwhelmingly a creative force for good."

In the open letter, the list which includes celebrity Chefs, Jamie Oliver, Harry Porter Author, JK Rawling, Funny woman, Miranda Hard, Sir David Attenborough, Nick Grimshaw and many others said the BBC was a very precious institution and like all organisations, it has its faults but it is overwhelmingly a creative force for good.

It comes after Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, a long-standing critic of the licence fee, appointed an eight-person panel to work on the renewal of the BBC's royal charter - which sets out the corporation's remit - due to expire at the end of 2016.

Downing Street has confirmed it has received the celebrities' letter, according to the report.

Below, the letter in full.

"[ Dear Prime Minister,

We have seen that the Government has pledged to modernise the licence fee, return funding that had been diverted to pay for broadband roll-out, and increase the licence fee in line with inflation in return for the BBC taking on the costs of Licence Fees for the over 75's.

The Government and the BBC are now entering the Charter Review. We are writing to place on record at the very start of the process our concern that nothing should be done to diminish the BBC or turn it into a narrowly focused market-failure broadcaster.

In our view, a diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain.

The BBC is a very precious institution. Like all organisations, it has its faults but it is overwhelmingly a creative force for good.

Britain's creative economy is growing and enjoying unprecedented success. The BBC is at the heart of this as the global showcase for our creative industries. The BBC is trusted and loved at home by British audiences and is the envy of the world abroad.

During the course of the Charter, we will continue to make the case for a strong BBC at the centre of British life and will be vocal in making the case for the BBC as it approaches its centenary.

Yours Sincerely

Clara Amfo
David Attenborough
Clare Balding
Melvyn Bragg
Brian Cox
Daniel Craig
Richard Curtis
Judi Dench
Chris Evans
Stephen Fry
Nick Grimshaw
Miranda Hart
Lenny Henry
Gary Lineker
Michael McIntyre
Steven Moffatt
Trevor Nelson
Annie Nightingale
Graham Norton
Jamie Oliver
Michael Palin
Adil Ray
JK Rowling
Mark Rylance
Simon Schama
David Walliams
Rachel Weisz
Claudia Winkleman
Reggie Yates ]"