BBC gave celebrities free tickets to sporting events

By Vicky Shaw , Press Association

Thursday 04 March 2010

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Celebrities including Lily Allen, Michael McIntyre and Daniel Radcliffe were treated by the BBC to free tickets to sporting events last year, it was disclosed today.

The Sun newspaper reported details of a Freedom of Information disclosure, which showed that 275 free tickets were given away to top sporting events.

They included 151 Wimbledon tickets, 52 for rugby games and 36 for England cricket matches.

The BBC emphasised that the tickets did not cost licence fee payers any extra money.

One Show presenter Adrian Chiles and comedian McIntyre received tennis treats.

Harry Potter star Radcliffe, who recently came sixth on Vanity Fair magazine's list of top Hollywood earners, and Allen had tickets to see England play Australia at cricket.

Marks and Spencer's boss Sir Stuart Rose was also said to have received tickets for England cricket matches.

A statement from the BBC said: "These tickets are included in the BBC's broadcast rights contract for the tournaments and so no additional cost to the licence fee payer was incurred.

"The recipients were not provided with any food, transport or accommodation by the BBC and no corporate hospitality was provided at sporting events in 2009."

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