Romesh Ranganathan Reboots BBC Licence Fee Plea

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan has fronted a new BBC advertisement that revives the spirit of John Cleese's iconic 1985 appeal for the licence fee. The original advert featured Cleese questioning the value of the BBC, only to be met by a series of famous faces listing the corporation's contributions. Ranganathan's reboot similarly aims to highlight the benefits of the BBC to the public.

The 1985 campaign, which cost £58 for a licence fee at the time, saw Cleese express his frustration to a bartender, asking, "What's the BBC ever given us for 58 quid?" He was then presented with a range of arguments from notable figures including David Attenborough, John Humphrys, Terry Wogan, and David Jason, who collectively defended the BBC's output.

This contemporary version of the plea features Ranganathan in a similar role, questioning the worth of the licence fee. The rebooted advert includes appearances from well-known personalities such as Claudia Winkleman and David Jason, echoing the star-studded nature of the original. The campaign seeks to remind viewers of the diverse programming and services the BBC provides, justifying the continued payment of the licence fee.