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• Stephen Fry asked on Twitter: 'Has the BBC ever presented a more mind-numbingly tedious programme in its history?'
• The One Show's Matt Baker compared unfavourably with Richard Dimbleby
• Jonathan Dimbleby, son of Richard, Tweeted: 'Dire reaction to BBC coverage of another great event. Am asked whether bigwigs have lost the plot. Good question to Any Questions'
• Viewers tell BBC to show the boats rather than cutting to endless interviews
• Technical problems caused the sound to drop out during musical performances
• 10.3million viewers tuned into the coverage yesterday

Articl by Rob Cooper

The BBC today faced a backlash from viewers over their 'inane' and 'mind-numbingly tedious' coverage of the Queen's Thames pageant.

Stephen Fry led the criticism on Twitter while a Tory MP accused the Corporation of broadcasting 'celebrity-driven drivel'.

Other viewers said the show's presenters should have 'shut up' and shown the boats rather than cutting to interviews and features.

Criticism: One Show presenter Matt Baker looks at Sophie Raworth as they anchor the BBC's coverage of the Queen's Jubilee pageant on the Thames yesterday

The production team were criticised for cutting away from the flotilla at key moments, including the opening of Tower Bridge.

The commentary team were accused of not knowing enough about the individual boats.

Poor weather also caused a number of technical problems with the sound cutting out during musical performances.

Overseas broadcasters who received the BBC's footage but added their own commentary criticised the coverage openly on air.

Despite the problems, an estimated 10.3million people tuned into the coverage - with viewing figures peaking at 11.9million.

Today the BBC defended their presenters - although critics said rivals Sky did a better job of broadcasting the historic event.

The shows producers were Claire Megahey, Zoe Timmers and Kate Shiers and the director was Ian Russell.

Viewers compared presenters such as Radio 1’s Fearne Cotton, Strictly Come Dancing star Tess Daly and One Show frontman Matt Baker unfavourably against the corporation’s more traditional ‘big event’ presenters, and Richard Dimbleby’s memorable commentary on the 1953 Coronation.

The legendary broadcaster's son Richard Tweeted: 'Dire reaction to BBC coverage of another great event. Am asked whether bigwigs have lost the plot. Good question to Any Questions.'

Sophie Raworth presented the coverage alongside The One Show's Matt Baker.

Countless viewers took to Twitter to criticise the standard of coverage, with most complaints focused on the presenting team, and it became one of the most popular topics on the messaging site.

In a series of Twitter messages, BBC Two presenter Mr Fry said: ‘Has the BBC ever presented a more mind-numbingly tedious programme in its history? 

‘HRH The Queen, said the first ignorant presenter. HRH?

‘But, dear me, this is eggier and cheesier than a collapsed souffle. Deeply embarrassing. Everyone is telling me that Sky’s coverage is better.

‘Don’t get me wrong peeps, I’m not saying this in relation to ER II’s jubilee - just expected better of the Beeb.’

‘It’s because I am an old sentimentalist that I expect better of the nation’s broadcaster.’

Comedian Julian Clary added simply: ‘Please make it stop. #bbcjubilee.’

Tory MP for Reading East, Rob Wilson, joined the voices condemning the BBC's jubilee reporting.

Blustery: Claire Balding reports from a boat on the Thames yesterday - she was one of the few presenters praised for her on screen efforts

Another damning posting from the politician read: 'Which is worse, the heavy rain falling on the flotilla along the Thames or the BBC's dreadful coverage of this Royal Jubilee event?'

Austin Mitchell, Labour MP for Great Grimsby, summed up the coverage in similarly disparaging terms.

'One hated Thames Armada. No Navy left so hordes of tatty boats. Queen freezing, BBC 5Live and TV commentary pathetic. A disgrace,' he wrote.

Modern London: The Spirit of Chartwell carrying the Queen passes under the historic Tower Bridge with the Shard, the tallest building in the EU, reaching into the Sky in the background

Lucky ones: The crowds by Waterloo Bridge missed the BBC's coverage described as 'dreadful' by viewers

Celebrations: Sian Williams broadcasts from outside with a group of Royal enthusiasts. The BBC's coverage was widely criticised

Today a spokesman for the Corporation defended their coverage, and said: 'We’re very proud of the quality and breadth of the BBC’s coverage of this extraordinary event.'

The programme attracted 55.9 per cent of viewers over the course of the afternoon.

When it started at 1.30pm 6.1million were watching, but by 2.30pm this had risen to 10.3million. Figures peaked at 11.9million at 4.15pm with 10.8million still watching at 6pm.

But despite the impressive figures, viewers were were unhappy with the coverage.

One, Giles Dilnot, tweeted: ‘On what planet was cutting from the opening of Tower Bridge to Fearne Cotton a smart move?’

Another watcher complained that it was ‘gross’ to hear an actor from the children’s programme Horrible Histories refer to sewage in the River Thames as ‘botty grot’.

Shocking pink: Sky News political editor Adam Boulton in Downing Street yesterday as he marks the jubilee with a novel pink jacket - with black arm patches

Anchors aweigh: The manpowered section of the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant headed along the River Thames to Tower Bridge, London

They praised some presenters, including Clare Balding, but said much of the coverage was too lightweight.

Benjamin Cook wrote: ‘Switched on to BBC One to catch some of the #BBCJubilee Thames Pageant. A reporter was interviewing a dog on a narrowboat. I switched off.’

Viewer Keith Bradnam said: ‘The BBC’s coverage of the Royal Jubilee river pageant has just broken the record for the most number of inane comments per minute. Congrats.’

Carole Blake added: ‘So many people complaining about the inane BBC tv commentary to Jubilee pageant. Such a drop in standards there.’

And Grace Medford wrote: ‘Are these the best presenters we could find? John Barrowman? Angelica Bell? Tess Daly?’