http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...4#post36944244

Ashley Blake was a BBC Midlands Today reporter who was charged with assault early this year. He was suspended immediately and not allowed to appear on the regional TV news. He later went to court and was convicted.

The point I was making was that IF (and I stress) IF Ricky Whittle was charged while the show was ongoing, would the BBC do the same and not let him appear? I was merely posing the question and pointing out another case when the person was no longer able to appear.

But she's female???....oh you mean bone as in foot!

He has not been charged with anything, just arrested in connection with ....

Just to clarify - this was my original post. I KNOW he has not been charged.

I have to stand up for Stargazer here....Ashley Blake never appeared on our screens (in Birmingham) again after he was accused of assault.....He denyed it. He wasnt charged immediately but was suspended by the BBC pending an inquiry. His WAS subsequently charged and his trial took place over a year later and he is now in prison but he never worked on the BBC again from the moment he was accused. I know about it because I live near the location where it happened so always followed it with interest.

Thank you Jan. I did not suggest for one moment Ricky had been charged, I was merely asking a "what if" and speculating about BBC policy in connection with such matters.

Does anyone know what Ricky was actually charged with? Is it a traffic offence, careless driving, not stopping after an accident? I haven't heard anywhere that he's been charged with a violent offence like assault.

He hasn't been charged. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8383557.stm

I can't remember having seen your name before today on these forums, and now it seems that every thread I visit on the SCD forum contains a rude joke from you. Carry on!

He is able to dance?? Oh pants! And here was me thinking I'd got rid of the top 2 dancers and my favourite could make it to the final!

booooooo!!!

Me too - trying to sneak on DS whilst at work has been a bit torrid! General consensus at work for Ricky has been surprisingly supportive. Even the most conservative (small 'c' characters) seem to despise the paps.

Also surprised at support on these boards with lots of fair comments - restores faith etc.




retract retract... some of the comments are grim
Last edited by Apricot : 27-11-2009 at 18:13

He hasn't been charged and neither is he likely to be: lets be serious it doesn't happen for those kind of incidences to 'normal people'. Your insurance might have to pay out though.

This is just an accident. Big storm in a tea cup if you ask me. And if Ricky is as scared of Natalie, as some people on this forum think, he's probably more worried about what she will say to him when she sees him.

This type of thing is routine for the police and no one ever ends up being charged with nada.

Hope you're right shya.

When these stories appear about celebs and the paparazzi - I instinctively feel sympathy for the celeb but also acknowledge that we, the GBP, can't get enough of the hall of shame pics

I remember (when emotionally invested in Mark R.) being devastated by the media storm that hit him & yet was surprised how quickly, once he'd danced again, the storm blew itself out.

As has been sad, Ricky hasn't been charged (& I wish the 6 o'clock News had made that clear) so innocent until... etc. He must be absolutely shattered - I really feel for him.

Well rather than enforcing BBC rule 1.2b they are using the Whittle rule 11a which reads along the lines of"Ricky Whittle must be in the final at all costs"

Bhoy, he hasnt been charged and nor is it likely he will be. There must be different circumstances in that previous case compared to this one.

How do you know.So if he is charged you reckon he should quit or be asked to leave?

How do I know? Well, I dont know. But I would imagine if there was something to charge him with, they would have done it already. Its not like its a murder charge with loads of evidence to consider, its a minor assault/RTC investigation.

If he is charged, I think he would probably withdraw himself. If we put this case aside, he's acted impeccably throughout the series and he hasnt been in trouble with the Police or anything before. He's seems like a decent guy and he would therefore jump before he is pushed.

Well according to ITT he has had a 'difficult 24 hours' and thats it.....Craig made a joke that he should be dancing to Jailhouse Rock and got ticked off by Claudia and that was that.

This is definately going to be the Elephant on the dancefloor that everyone knows it there but makes a fantastic job of ignoring

very poor show by the BBC again

As it is on ongoing investigation, they are unable to make any other comment.

Why? Care to elaborate please? An explanation would certainly assist the progress of the discussion.

Apart from the fact that that other employee who will remain nameless was suspended for harassing another female on the staff. Two very different cases. This is just the type of thing, that unfortunately for the bruised, happens everyday of the week.

I dunno if it's even sub judice if he hasn't been charged yet but hey that's the way the Beeb are going to play it.

I just think the trauma will be difficult for Ricky to overcome and having to do a jaunty rock'n'roll. Lets hope he can blank it out for the 90 seconds on the dancefloor.