Christa Ackroyd returns to BBC spotlight in awards stand-off

CHRISTA ACKROYD, the popular former presenter of the BBC's Look North, has unwittingly taken centre stage in a bizarre row between the corporation and a prestigious industry body, it emerged last night.
Christa AckroydChrista Ackroyd
Christa Ackroyd

The BBC in Yorkshire is understood to be boycotting tonight’s Royal Television Society’s regional awards because it is annoyed that a clip of Ms Ackroyd was used in a tribute to her former co-host, Harry Gration.

Two separate sources connected to the society have told The Yorkshire Post that following years of enthusiastic support for the RTS industry awards, Look North had now cold-shouldered the event, leaving the field open to ITV’s Calendar.

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The BBC confirmed that it had not entered the awards but declined to say why. However, an RTS member, who asked not to be named, said: “People are furious about the whole thing.”

Mr Gration was the subject of an RTS tribute two years ago when he was handed an award in recognition of his “outstanding presentation work”.

He has also twice been named Regional Presenter of the Year at the society’s national awards, but following the BBC’s decision not to take part at a regional level, for the second year in succession, he is absent from tonight’s shortlist. The winner will be named at a £75-a-head dinner at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Ms Ackroyd, who declined to comment on the situation, left Look North four years ago, following weeks of speculation about her position, during which she remained off screen.

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A BBC spokeswoman said of the RTS Yorkshire awards: “We have chosen not to enter these awards. There are lots of industry awards. We don’t enter them all. We do enter the RTS National Awards. We wish all the nominees the best of luck.”

Four years ago, the awards were enthusiastically promoted by Look North, with a Facebook post announcing: “We’re delighted to tell you that BBC Yorkshire won five Royal Television Society (Yorkshire) awards last night.”