BBC sued for £3.7m by ‘human crash test dummy’ TV presenter

Stunt occurred on BBC One science series Bang Goes the Theory in 2014

A TV presenter who acted as a “human crash test dummy” on a science series has sued the BBC for £3.7m.

Jem Stansfield participated in a stunt for BBC One’s Bang Goes the Theory, in which he was catapulted into a makeshift lamppost.

In the episode, Stansfield remarks that he is “a little nervous” about the stunt, adding: “I’m forward-facing, I’m heading for a solid-steel bar. How bad can it be?”

Stansfield can then be seen being pulled along a cart at high speed and smashing into the lamppost head-on. Stansfield then repeats the same stunt facing the other way.

Stansfield’s lawyers argued at London’s High Court that his “stellar” TV career had been permanently impacted by the stunt, and robbed him of future earnings.

They also argued that he had experienced disabling whiplash, brain damage, dizziness and psychological scarring in the incident.

The BBC has agreed to pay two-thirds of Stansfield’s claim of £3.7m in damages, after a discount for his “contributory negligence”.

Jem Stansfield before and after he was catapulted into a makeshift lamppost (BBC)

The corporation did, however, dispute the impact and degree of Stansfield’s injuries, as well as the payout. The case will soon go to a damages trial.

The Independent has reached out to the BBC for comment.