The BBC has found itself in an embarrassing situation after quietly removing an episode of the beloved panel show Have I Got News For You from its streaming service iPlayer.
The sudden disappearance occurred following a significant on-air error made by the episode's host, Victoria Coren Mitchell, during the original broadcast. Viewers who had been watching the programme were left confused when it unexpectedly vanished from the platform without explanation.
What Prompted the Removal?
While the BBC has remained tight-lipped about the specific nature of the mistake, sources indicate that Coren Mitchell made a substantial factual error during recording that required post-production intervention. The corporation's editorial guidelines typically mandate corrections when significant inaccuracies are identified after broadcast.
This isn't the first time the BBC has faced criticism for its handling of content on iPlayer. The platform has previously been used to edit or remove content that breaches editorial standards or contains errors that could mislead audiences.
Viewer Reaction and Industry Response
Regular viewers of the long-running satirical news quiz expressed their frustration on social media platforms, with many questioning why the episode couldn't simply be edited rather than completely withdrawn.
Media analysts have noted that this incident raises broader questions about how broadcasters handle mistakes in the digital age, where content is expected to remain available indefinitely on streaming platforms.
The BBC has yet to issue a formal statement about whether the episode will be re-edited and restored to iPlayer or if it will remain permanently unavailable to licence fee payers.
