THE "ONE" THAT WE WANT

20-10-2006

The Stirrer broke the news weeks ago that the BBC's Birmingham made One Show starring Adrian Chiles was nailed on for a return to our screens next year - but now we understand that it could be end up being made in Manchester.

Unofficially billed as the "new nationwide", the programme wasn't universally loved but most pundits reckonedit was well-presented by local lad Chiles, and our information is that a forty week commission is guaranteed. Question is - where will it come from?

Not unnaturally, insiders at the Beeb's local home The Mailbox assumed the gig was theirs. The Stirrer was even told that a number of venues around the city, including the Bullring, were being considered as a possible nightly “home.”

That can no longer be taken for granted. Manchester has been earmarked as the future home of BBC3 and Radio Five Live, but if the forthcoming licence fee settlement isn't as generous as bosses hoped and the big move north doesn't go ahead, a bit of corporate face-saving might be needed.

A long-running BBC1 show would at least be something for the locals to savour, and The One Show would fit the bill perfectly.

The Stirrer is also aware that there weretensions between the Birmingham end of the operation and their London paymasters. The programme, which was only a middling success in audience terms, fell victim to the “too many cooks” syndrome. Tessa Finch who was the “big cheese” on the programme locally is now being replaced by Nick Patton in a bid to reduce friction.

It may be significant that we've been thrown a sizeable sprat in the shape of the Sports Personality of the Year Award which is being hosted outside of London for the first time at the NEC.

In any event,there's no question that when it comes to major investments, the BBC favours Manchester over this part of the world.

Wetrust that local politicians will kick up a suitable stink to ensure that a programme pioneered in Birmingham actually gets made here. It is the "One" that we want - and deserve.