BBC payoffs to senior staff could not always be justified said the trust chairman Lord Patten

BBC Trust chairman admits 'overpaying' after being questioned by MPs over £25m paid to 150 outgoing executives

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Kevin Spacey

House of Cards star Kevin Spacey to give MacTaggart Memorial Lecture at Edinburgh festival

Hollywood star Kevin Spacey has been chosen to give an annual keynote speech to TV executives - about how his latest hit show bypassed television channels.

David Crompton said his email 'was never intended to cause any offence'

Hillsborough: Police chief sorry for 'insensitive' email

David Crompton, the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, whose force's failings at the Hillsborough disaster led to the deaths of almost 100 football fans, has apologised for "inappropriate and insensitive" remarks in which he accused the families of victims of lying about the disaster.

'Do you want to know my toilet habits?' Lord Patten clashes with MPs over BBC Trust job

BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten was forced to defend his role amid scathing criticism by MPs today.

The BBC chairman Chris Patten (left) has been commenting after last night's resignation of the BBC Director General George Entwistle (right)

More heads will roll at the BBC, says Lord Patten

No end to the bloodletting as chairman’s own job comes under pressure, while broadcaster refuses to name executive who signed off on Newsnight report

Twenty current BBC staff facing internal allegations of sexual misconduct following Jimmy Savile revelations

Twenty current BBC staff are facing internal allegations of sexual misconduct following the Jimmy Savile revelations, the corporation said today.

BBC boss Mark Thompson defends Olympics coverage

BBC boss Mark Thompson has defended the corporation's Olympics coverage after reports he ordered staff to stop “focusing” so much on Team GB's success.

Steve Coogan: For nearly 20 years Coogan was on BBC2, but recently took Alan Partridge to Sky Atlantic

Sky's splurge on talent forces BBC to fork out for stars' loyalty

BBC boss says he welcomes investment in British TV but the cost of key stars is going up

Top earners cost BBC £16m

The BBC paid more than £16 million to top talent in 2011/12, according to its accounts.

Part of George Entwistle's talent has been his ability to avoid controversy

George Entwistle: A good chap in the trenches who can command respect

He will find it easier to impose further budgetary restrictions than a DG without strong BBC roots

Runners and riders: the BBC executives Helen Boaden and Caroline Thomson, and BSkyB's Sophie Turner Laing

Is it time for a woman to run the BBC?

85 years, 14 male bosses. Now momentum is growing for a change at Broadcasting House. Ian Burrell reports

Director-general admits BBC has too few older women on TV

The BBC is right to be criticised for not featuring enough older women in leading roles in its television programmes, the broadcaster's director-general has admitted.

DJ Taylor: All hail Patten, champion of a clever BBC

It's goodbye to vulgarity as Auntie's new chairman prepares to outrage the philistines with his pro-elitist stance

She Stoops to Conquer, Olivier, National Theatre

I was amused to see a credit for an Etiquette Consultant in the programme for the National Theatre's new She Stoops to Conquer.

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Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
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