To be hurt and annoyed at being dropped by the BBC?

I just want to say how sorry I am for you and what happened. I hope you contact the producer and tell them how upset you are.

I've asked the OP at least twice what her motivation for doing the piece to camera was to begin with, and that's been glossed right over too.

I'm also not getting all the comments alluding to an MN pile-on; this entire thread is stuffed with support for her. This whole situation is something that has to be chalked-up to being part of life's rich tapestry, and a mental note that once bitten, twice shy.

Maybe I see things differently, on the basis that success in my life has never been easy for me, and what success I've had has been exceptionally low key. I'm nothing like some people have made out that I am. As well as this, I never expect anything to be brilliant on the first go, which is why in any new experience I had to dip my toe in the water first, as opposed to jumping straight it.

Although I got called out for allegedly making my first post on this thread all about me (and I wasn't doing so), I stand by what I wrote, which was that I knew in time that some low-key but paid opportunities to appear on TV would likely come my way, and therefore I took the chance to do some free appearances first so as to know what to expect for the paid work - indeed the first piece I ever did (which took several hours and a lot of travelling costs) very nearly did go out without me in it, but I didn't care as I had my own agenda in needing the experience of taking part. Many hours of filming was edited into a total of about 60 seconds of footage, spread over three 55-minute episodes of a four-part documentary.

I learnt so much from this experience, not least how the format of an entire series can change from inception to filming through to edit & release; what began as a documentary covering the whole of a national infrastructure was eventually focused entirely on one aspect of it in just one county, presumably as the production company found more than enough material to use when they began looking for it at the location it ended up being centered around.

If the OP has the chance to do future TV work, then this experience of hers (along with the constructive feedback on here from people who've been on both sides of the camera, so to speak) will make her much more prepared for that next opportunity.

I guess I just meant a house could be mentioned in something quite left field. But you may now have watched all of iPlayer 😆

I take your point but, specifically, Hoarders is not a BBC show and, more generally, I've FFd through a shit load of shows!

I'm still not sure why the OP can't link to the show in question if she's so aggrieved!

This is intense 😆😆😆 but for all we know the topic could be something else entirely with just a reference to this house. For example, there was an episode of Hoarders (mansions version, forgotten what it's called!) where someone lived in a building with an interesting history - they mentioned the history of the house on the show.

@Ladyof2025 reading how articulate and brilliant all your replies are, genuinely don’t think the BBC deserved you x

@Ladyof2025 what a very annoying and disappointing thing to happen. And even worse to then post on mn for a bit of support and end up with endless people wittering on disbelieving you, discrediting you and generally in so many ways no doubt making you feel worse.
MN really is an awful place sometimes.

I totally think you should complain to the contact you had at the BBC and to whoever else at the BBC who will listen. Appalling behaviour by them. They stole your research, your script and then didnt even vaguely credit you for it. 😥

Hi @Ladyof2025 was it public service BBC or BBC Studios?

Absolutely! It is also bad manners, and potentially intellectual property theft.

I get that stuff like this is cut all the time. But to me what is unacceptable is to cut it then use the research without asking. It is unpunished research which OP was asked to share on the show. It is just decent to ask!

At the end of the day, we don't know. Either way, it's total bullshit to take OP's research and run the content without her without so much as a please or thank you.

I don't think it's as much passion - but rehearsed. Often these programmes want off the cuff, they are not looking for slick and polished, they want it like a conversation with someone you'd met in the street.

Talking to camera is a real skill and I totally get why someone would want to practice and learn the spiel off pat, but that often doesn't come across well.

I suspect the problem was that someone speaking lines they've learnt doesn't come over as passionate.

Methinks we've touched a nerve here!
The clue is in the username.
We're on Mumsnet not the BBC!

The OP rowed back on saying that the exact words had been spoken. That's why it's a bit disingenuous for anyone to say it's disgraceful or plagiarism or theft or anything. No-one knows unless we see the script and the final broadcast.

But it isn't.

You can be passionate and knowledgeable and still not come across well on camera. It's a real skill.

It should be no shame or embarrassment to the OP that they didn't use her contribution. There are a dozen reasons why they needed to reshoot. Looking at the final programme might make it was obvious why.

Out of more than 500 replies so far, anything "mean" has been drastically overshadowed by the sympathy, and the "mean" posts were largely people explaining how things work.

The OP has been given some great constructive feedback, on top the sympathy I mentioned above. Overall, the OP has done quite well from the post.

Not surprised you're upset, op. Some people have been really mean on here.

Why don't you ring the Beeb and ask what happened? I'd want to know. Say you noticed that the presenter used your exact words, and ask why what was wrong with your interview.

And for what it's worth OP, I would MUCH rather hear from someone who has researched and is passionate about a topic even if their delivery wasn't like a professional TV presenter. You're there because you have something interesting to say and that's the whole point.

I love you for this post 💖 I bet your segment was bloody amazing!

How utterly awful that they stole your research. Completely disgusting. And didn't even have the courtesy to ask you.

How will she be outing herself to anyone who doesn't know her?

I really feel for you, but also beg you to try to put this all behind you. I spent 15 years in production on live shows and pre records. I can guarantee you that no-one intended to cause you upset. Everything they did is NFN, standard practice. It may be that you were so devoted to being the perfect talking head, that you came over badly. Maybe nervous? Perhaps needing re-voicing because you were over prepped and had to be cut down? Ignore the doubters on here. But do believe me, these people would be doing these PTC's day in and out. They are all about what works best for the programme. Consider yourself valued for your input. If it had to be re-voiced for whatever reason, that they re-used your info is a compliment. Its a bit poor that they didn't offer you a fee though. But honestly, don't feel demeaned in any way.