Inquiry finds no evidence Channel 4 reality show Tower Block of Commons used paid actors after Nadine Dorries’ claims ‘they weren’t real’-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

A Channel 4 inquiry has debunked Nadine Dorries’ claims that a reality show used paid actors (Picture: EPA/Getty Images)

Channel 4 has said no evidence has been found to support Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries’ claim that the programme Tower Block of Commons used paid actors, following an investigation and internal review.

In May, the Cabinet minister accused the 2010 reality show of allegedly hiring actors to play real people during a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee hearing.

Dorries was being questioned over the future of Channel 4 after the government announced controversial plans to privatise the broadcaster, and she stated that Channel 4 ‘doesn’t do itself any favours’.

At the time, she told parliament that she believed the hosts on Tower Block of Commons were ‘actors’, after appearing on the programme in 2010, alongside Austin Mitchell, Mark Oaten and Tim Loughton.

She had said: ‘I discovered later, they were actually actors.

‘The parents of the boys in that programme actually came here to have lunch with me, and contacted me to tell me, actually, they were in acting school, and that they weren’t really living in a flat, and they weren’t real.

‘And even, if you remember, there’s a pharmacist or somebody that I went to see who prepared food – she was also a paid actress as well.’

Following the accusations, Channel 4 said it asked programme-maker Love Productions to carry out a thorough investigation into the concerns raised.

The broadcaster said it then reviewed the findings and conducted its own internal searches and review.

A statement from Channel 4 documenting its process and findings said: ‘At the DCMS Committee meeting on 19 May 2022, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nadine Dorries MP alleged that contributors to the 2010 Channel 4 series Tower Block Of Commons, in which she appeared, were paid actors, in acting school and/or not living in the homes in which they were portrayed in the series as living.

The Culture Secretary appeared on the reality show Tower Block of Commons in 2010 (Picture: James Manning/PA Wire)

‘Channel 4 takes any allegations of misrepresentation extremely seriously and always rigorously investigates any such claims.

‘In keeping with standard practice, Channel 4 asked Love Productions, who produced the programme, to conduct a thorough investigation into the concerns raised.

‘The investigation, overseen by their external lawyers, encompassed contributors who were ordinary members of the public and with whom the Secretary of State had significant interaction.

The Culture Secretary claimed ‘paid actors’ were used (Picture: Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

‘It involved speaking with many of those involved in the making of the series, including contributors and crew, and retrieving and reviewing relevant documentation and footage, including 85 hours of raw footage filmed for the series.

‘Channel 4 then reviewed Love Productions’ findings and undertook its own internal document searches and review.

‘Neither Love Productions’ investigation nor Channel 4’s internal inquiries revealed any evidence to support the allegations made about the programme.’

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DCMS committee chairman Julian Knight added: ‘The committee has written to the Secretary of State on this matter and invited comments from her as a matter of urgency.

‘Now that Channel 4 and Love Productions have concluded the investigation, we look forward to receiving the Secretary of State’s response, which we will then publish.’

It comes as Channel 4, which has been publicly owned since its creation in 1982, will be put up for sale after the Government announced the plans earlier this year.

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