Comedian and presenter Romesh Ranganathan has taken centre stage in a major new BBC promotional campaign designed to remind audiences of the broadcaster’s role in British culture, but reports have revealed that he was the only celebrity involved to receive payment for his appearance.
The three-minute film, which features almost 100 familiar faces from television, comedy, music and entertainment, aims to answer the campaign’s central question: “What has the BBC ever done for me?”
The project takes viewers on a journey through some of the broadcaster’s most recognisable programmes, studios and fictional worlds.
Star-Filled BBC Film Brings Together Entertainment Icons
The campaign begins inside the famous Queen Vic pub from EastEnders, where Ranganathan discovers a newspaper headline questioning whether the BBC is still worth supporting.
Speaking with barmaid Tracey, played by Jane Slaughter, he responds that it is a question worth asking before exploring the broadcaster’s influence.
The advert then moves through a collection of BBC landmarks and shows, featuring appearances from some of the biggest names connected with the network.
Among those included are Chris Martin of Coldplay, broadcaster Louis Theroux, and Anton Du Beke from Strictly Come Dancing.
The line-up also includes Alan Carr, Peter Capaldi, Sara Cox, Graham Norton, Vernon Kay, Greg James, Ruth Jones, Cate Blanchett, Daisy Ridley, Chris McCausland, Clive Myrie and Stacey Solomon.
Even familiar BBC characters, including Pudsey Bear and several Daleks from Doctor Who, make appearances in the promotional film.
BBC Confirms Ranganathan Was Paid for Major Filming Commitment
While the advert features a large number of celebrity appearances, reports indicate that Ranganathan was the only participant who received payment for taking part.
The BBC has refused to reveal the amount paid to the comedian, citing commercial reasons.
A broadcaster spokesperson said: “We don’t provide third-party costs for commercial reasons.
Like other broadcasters, we promote our services creatively to ensure audiences across the UK can get best value from the BBC.”
According to reports from the Press Association, the payment was linked to the level of commitment required from Ranganathan during production.
As the central figure in the campaign, he spent significant time filming across multiple locations and scenes.
The BBC said that the majority of those involved contributed their time without payment, with many of the celebrity cameos provided free of charge.
The creative concept for the campaign was also developed internally by the broadcaster’s own teams.
Campaign Revives Famous BBC Question Four Decades Later
The new advertisement draws inspiration from the BBC’s well-known 1986 campaign featuring John Cleese, which also asked audiences to consider the broadcaster’s contribution to everyday life.
Nearly 40 years later, the updated version attempts to present the same argument to a new generation by highlighting popular programmes, cultural moments and public service achievements associated with the BBC.
In the film, Ranganathan jokes about the broadcaster’s impact by referencing popular shows and charitable contributions, asking viewers to consider whether they truly recognise everything the BBC provides.
The campaign arrives during ongoing debates about the future of public broadcasting, funding and the role of the BBC in modern Britain.
Through its mix of humour, nostalgia and celebrity appearances, the broadcaster hopes to reinforce its relevance to audiences across the country.
