Richard Breakspear By email to [[email protected]]

27 March 2009

Dear Mr Breakspear

Freedom of Information request – RFI20090455

Thank you for your request for information, received 18th March 2009, in which you requested the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the Act”)

“the break down of salary paid to celebrities for their part in comic relief live show. eg Johnathan Ross, Davina McCall and so on?”

First of all, I should explain that Comic Relief is an independent charity, and as such is not covered by the Freedom of Information Act. The Act applies only to information held by the BBC, not to information held by Comic Relief.

Also, please note that the BBC and the other public service broadcasters are covered by the Act only in respect of information held for purposes “other than those of journalism, art or literature” (see Schedule I, Part VI of the Act). We consider that the information you have requested is not covered by the Act as it is held for the purposes of making the appeal night programme. However, on this occasion we’re happy to respond to your request.

Outside the scope of the Act, both the BBC and Comic Relief are happy to confirm that no fee was paid to the celebrities who presented the Comic Relief live show (Comic Relief – Funny for Money), i.e. Fern Britton, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, David Tennant, Claudia Winkleman, Graham Norton and Alan Carr on the main show and Reggie Yates, Fearne Cotton and Noel Fielding on Top of the Pops.

Appeal Rights The BBC does not offer an internal review when the information requested is not covered by the Act. If you disagree with our decision you can appeal to the Information Commissioner. Contact details are: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF telephone 01625 545 700. http://www.ico.gov.uk/

Yours sincerely

Rachel Hallett Advisor, Information Policy & Compliance