Test Match Special is better known for remarks about cakes sent in by listeners and pigeons landing on sight screens.
But when Geoff Boycott suggested England cricketer Stuart Broad wasn’t smacked enough by his mother when he was little, it prompted an inquiry by the BBC Trust after a listener complained it condoned physical abuse of children.
Boycott, the former England and Yorkshire cricketer, made the comment during an exchange with his fellow TMS commentator Henry Blofeld after fast bowler Broad made an unsuccessful appeal for leg before wicket during England’s second test against India last summer.
Boycott had previously criticised Broad for not putting the Indian batsmen under pressure, and it prompted a discussion about the bowler’s perceived over-eagerness to appeal.
Boycott said: “His mum didn’t smack him enough when he was little, I reckon.”
Blofeld responded: “You’re a tough man, Geoffrey. Er, anyway, Broad…” Boycott continued: “See I grew up in that [era]. No political correctness then. You got a little clip from your mum. That sorted you out.”
Blofeld replied: “I had a bit of that too … Here comes Broad …” and the match continued.
A listener complained after the broadcast on 19 July last year, on Radio 4 long wave and Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, saying it had “condoned the physical abuse of children” and said the comments were “insensitive and inappropriate”.
The complaint was rejected by the BBC’s editorial complaints unit, saying Blofeld and Boycott were “very well known to the audience and had well-established characters”.
It said light-hearted conversations were a hallmark of TMS and Boycott and Blofeld had laughed during the exchange.
The complaint was later escalated to the BBC Trust, but trustees ruled out an appeal saying it had little chance of success.
It “acknowledged the seriousness of protection of children” but said the audience would have “understood that there was no serious intent behind the remark”.
It said it was “clear that the remarks were made in the context of criticising the behaviour of the player who appealed to the umpire that a cricketer was out in circumstances when it was evident he was wrong”.
Test Match Special returns on Wednesday with England’s first Ashes Test match against Australia from Cardiff.
