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Original poster

Legal action against TV production company/channel

42 replies

oodieoodie · 08/10/2023 02:04

Hello

I am looking for some advice please to try and help my family member.

Years ago they took part in a reality TV show (!) and luckily for them it wasn't a huge success but has really affected their life since. My family member was really low and anxious when back in the real world. The production company arranged a telephone conversation with the show psychologist. However there was no follow up and no real duty of care at all since then. The show was a total mind fuck. My family member still dreams about being in this show even though it was approx 20 years ago. They've become introvert and scared to meet new people in case they get googled and find out about the show.

When speaking to my DP about how worried I am about my family member, he said 'they should sue the TV company'. Is this a possibility?

OP posts:
JobMatch3000 · 08/10/2023 02:14

Sue them for what? Have they lost out financially in any way?

prh47bridge · 08/10/2023 09:29

It is unlikely they would be able to take action after 20 years. They are well out of time for claiming negligence or personal injury. To get permission to bring a claim, they would have to show that there was good reason why it has taken them this long to start legal action.

Original poster
oodieoodie · 08/10/2023 15:33

@JobMatch3000 @prh47bridge
Thank you for your replies. It's more the psychological damage than anything.

In response to why it has taken so long, they have been really affected by it with bouts of anxiety and depression, then they are OK for a period. Then repeat. They lived with me for a while and I've watched them have panic attacks, avoided going out in crowds and anywhere new etc. They tried to bury it and move on, but it's still affecting them.

The TV show was not what it seems, so the contestants had no idea what they were signing up for. To watch it now it would probably be described as they were being gaslight. Along the lines of 'there's something about miriam'

OP posts:
StarlightLime · 08/10/2023 15:37

However there was no follow up and no real duty of care at all since then
Why would there be (especially 20 years later!)? They were presumably an adult at the time and took part of their own volition.

Original poster
oodieoodie · 08/10/2023 16:11

@StarlightLime Yes, of course I wouldn't expect it 20 years later...but the first 6/12 months after a show I would.

As I said the show wasn't what the contestants signed up for. It had a different title and premise. Watching as a family we all thought it was so cruel, which is seemingly why the press didn't get behind the show. Regardless, it has left my family member a shell of themselves, even after all these years.

OP posts:
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 08/10/2023 16:21

As well as the delay in bringing an action, there was no established duty of care for a reality TV company towards contestants 20 years ago -guidance on this wasn't brought in till 2021. That isn't an absolute barrier: just because a DoC hadn't been officially established, doesn't mean it didn't exist. But you'd have a hell of a mountain to climb, in combination with the delay in bringing action, before you even started trying to establish the facts of your relative's case.

Ofcom's new duty of care guidelines to protect TV talent

Ofcom is beefing up rules aimed at protecting vulnerable people who appear on TV shows, reports Caroline Frost.

https://rts.org.uk/article/ofcoms-new-duty-care-guidelines-protect-tv-talent

Docke · 08/10/2023 16:34

Was this the show where people thought they were in space?

WitchyFingers · 08/10/2023 16:36

Docke · 08/10/2023 16:34

Was this the show where people thought they were in space?

I remember that it was hilarious.

PinkArt · 08/10/2023 16:44

20 years ago a chat with the psych was pretty much considered job done as far as duty of care went. Although there is still a long way to go, thankfully a lot of improvements have been made in the last 20 years. So I would think contractually the company has provided exactly what they promised the contribs. I also think after two decades it would probably be hard to prove that your relatives current mental state is purely down to events back then.
My suggestion would be to focus on getting some sort of counselling for them, to help them move forwards, rather than to keep looking back.

Somertime · 08/10/2023 16:48

I wouldn't have thought you stand a chance legally due to the time limit. However, is the production company still in operation? Could your relative contact, explain and ask for support from their psychologists now as they are struggling? At least they may get some help.

Original poster
oodieoodie · 08/10/2023 16:55

Thanks for the replies again.

Yes @Docke

That's a great suggestion @Somertime thank you

OP posts:
SophiaElizabethGrace · 08/10/2023 17:13

I am sorry to hear about your relative. I'm wondering how others in the group dealt with it? Did the contestants remain in contact at all? Is it possible to bring a group action as it were? Of course everyone deals with things differently but they just of all felt embarrassed, confused etc.

prh47bridge · 08/10/2023 17:54

SophiaElizabethGrace · 08/10/2023 17:13

I am sorry to hear about your relative. I'm wondering how others in the group dealt with it? Did the contestants remain in contact at all? Is it possible to bring a group action as it were? Of course everyone deals with things differently but they just of all felt embarrassed, confused etc.

Group action does not extend the time limit. They would still need to convince the court that they had good reason to delay this long before taking action.

SophiaElizabethGrace · 08/10/2023 18:19

Yes I understand @prh47bridge

I simply figured that if any action was going to be attempted, it might be easier in numbers.

It doesn't sound as if the OPs relative has been able to do much at all due to their mental health. I guess that's the only real explanation for the delay. Dunno.

AutumIsOrange · 08/10/2023 18:27

The production company won’t have ‘their psychologist’. Psych’s are contracted on a show by show basis (although company’s tend to stay with ones they know and like).

Added to this, it’s highly likely that apart from the CEO / CCO, none of the same people work at the company. Do you know the name of the production company? Do they still exist?

henrysugar12 · 08/10/2023 18:27

Never heard of the show... just googled it and seen that it was basically the most expensive tv hoax. I would imagine that the contract signed would mean that the production company would not accept any liability after a certain period of time.

Have a look at this: amp.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/oct/07/the-greatest-show-never-made-reality-show-amazon-prime
Maybe raising awareness of their situation may force the hand of channel 4/production company?

Janieforever · 08/10/2023 18:29

If it was space cadets, then a family member was informed of the hoax and gave permission for them to take part, so who authorised it, clearly the person should have said no.

DaisyMaisyFaisy · 08/10/2023 18:29

Did they stay in touch with anyone from the show?

What sort of thing happened?

Iamanunsafebuilding · 08/10/2023 18:34

As regards the fear of being googled your family member can ask for their name to be removed from search results. I know that doesn't answer your question but it might help bring some peace of mind for them

bossybloss · 08/10/2023 18:38

WitchyFingers · 08/10/2023 16:36

I remember that it was hilarious.

Show quote history

I remember thinking at the time how cruel and humiliating it was.

Sunplant · 08/10/2023 18:40

I don't know if they could claim compensation. Although it does sound awful.
But even if they could would they really want to? Surely if there was a court case to sue them that would just bring it back to the public's attention and could make your relatives mental health even worse. Even if it was not in the public eye they would have to provide evidence. Would they be strong enough mentally to do that?

DyslexicPoster · 08/10/2023 18:42

Sounds hideous for your family member

VineRipened · 08/10/2023 18:46

I have just read the Wikipeadia description of the show and its processes. Awful. Utterly unethical and the producers and broadcasters should be ashamed of themselves. No surprise that it was a company owned by Endamol.

I am so sorry your relative was so badly affected OP.

it seems it was 2005.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 08/10/2023 18:49

Janieforever · 08/10/2023 18:29

If it was space cadets, then a family member was informed of the hoax and gave permission for them to take part, so who authorised it, clearly the person should have said no.

(Barring LPAs etc) No adult can consent to anything on behalf of another adult, so this means nothing, even if it happened.

AutumIsOrange · 08/10/2023 18:49

Oh, just seen that you confirmed it was Space Cadets. Made by Zeppotron. Not nearly as big as they used to be (and part of wider group now).