Paul Whitehouse defends BBC amid dig Channel 4 is ‘not in same league’

The Fast Show’s Paul Whitehouse, 64, shared his thoughts about the BBC on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show today on Radio 2. The Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing star explained he felt like Channel 4 and the BBC were ‘not in the same league’. Paul spoke to Zoe Ball, 51, about teaming up with comedy partner Harry Enfield, 61, once more to tell the BBC’s centenary story tonight, by digging into the broadcaster’s archives.The show, entitled The Love Box in Your Living Room, is inspired by the work of Adam Curtis and will be a spoof documentary that is comically critical of the BBC in honour of its 100 year legacy. Putting on one of his quirky character voices, Paul told Zoe: ‘Sorry to get a bit serious with you here, Zoe.’But the BBC is a unique institution and so it was a privilege to mock it, if you like,’ he continued.READ MORE: Michael J Fox issues worrying health update amid Parkinson’s battle  Paul Whitehouse told Zoe the BBC and Channel 4 are ‘not in the same league’ (Image: GETTY) Paul Whitehouse is a popular comedian (Image: GETTY) Zoe hosts the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 (Image: GETTY) Michelle Donelan is the current culture secretary (Image: GETTY)’So, it is a joy to be able to celebrate and have a little affectionate dig,’ he added. Paul’s comments follow a long debate about the BBC licence fee, with people taking different positions on whether members of the public should still have to pay for it. During her time as Culture Secretary under Boris Johnson, Nadine Dorries announced plans to scrap the BBC licence fee and to privatise Channel 4. However, new Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has said she is ‘re-examining the business case’.DON’T MISS:Demi Rose unveils new hair colour that mimics The Little Mermaid [LATEST]Doc Martin star Joe Absolom refuses to leave Cornwall after final show [NEWS]Amanda Owen announces farm sale as she struggles to ‘get some order’ [NEWS]The minister also said she would be revisiting the online harms bill and the provisions around ‘legal but harmful’ speech, which was another major policy announcement under her predecessor The Culture Secretary was initially appointed by Liz Truss and has been able to keep her role under new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. ‘It is no secret that I have been a long-term sceptic of the licence fee,’ the Minister told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme last month.’And that we need to make sure that the BBC is sustainable in the long term. So I’m looking at this in the round.