The BBC was compelled to withdraw a drama about the making of the beloved sitcom Steptoe and Son following numerous complaints, leading to a recall of its DVD release.
The Curse of Steptoe
The Curse of Steptoe, a biographical drama aired in 2008, explored the creation of the classic sitcom. Starring Jason Isaacs as Harry H. Corbett and Phil Davis as Wilfrid Brambell, the programme focused on an allegedly strained relationship between the two actors. The sitcom itself, which followed a father and son running a rag-and-bone business, remains one of the BBC's most cherished, attracting peak audiences of around 28 million viewers.
Critical Success but Public Backlash
Despite initial critical acclaim and winning the 2008 Royal Television Society Award for Best Single Drama, the production faced backlash even before its broadcast. Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, the writers of Steptoe and Son, publicly distanced themselves, calling the drama inaccurate. They wrote to The Times stating they were unaware of any conflict between the actors during their 12-year collaboration. In a radio appearance, Simpson reinforced this, while Galton maintained they did not recognise the portrayal. Both insisted Corbett and Brambell worked beautifully together.
Members of Corbett's family also strongly condemned the programme, particularly its depiction of his second wife, Maureen. Her brother challenged the film on her behalf, highlighting multiple factual errors.
BBC's Response and Re-edits
The BBC's editorial complaints unit partially upheld the grievance in 2008, acknowledging it was inappropriate to merge two separate incidents from Corbett's life occurring eight years apart. The show was not repeated without appropriate editing. A revised version aired on 28 and 29 December 2008, running 23 seconds shorter, and included an on-screen disclaimer: 'The following drama is inspired by the lives of real people. For the purpose of the narrative some events have been invented or conflated.'
However, a BBC Trust investigation concluded the drama remained unfair and inaccurate. Further re-editing preceded a broadcast on 2 December 2009 on BBC HD, which ran 69 seconds shorter. This cut was later released on DVD on 14 June 2010.
Final Ruling and DVD Recall
Corbett's brother-in-law lodged another appeal, which the BBC Trust Editorial Standards Committee upheld. The ruling determined the revised portrayal remained unfair and inaccurate, stating that despite edits, further action was required to remove the impression of a casual relationship between Maureen and Harry. The Trust ordered all DVDs of the drama to be recalled and apologised on behalf of the BBC for the original editorial breaches and the ineffective remedial action.
Lasting Impact on BBC Guidelines
The incident prompted the BBC to introduce new guidelines on 'Portrayal of Real People in Drama', published on 12 October 2010. The rules now specify that where a drama goes against the wishes of the individual portrayed or their surviving near relatives, approval must be sought from the BBC's Director of Editorial Policy and Standards. Approval is given only if three criteria are met: the portrayal is fair, based on substantial and well-sourced evidence, and there is a clear public interest.
