with a much younger colleague. last night another of its former presenters, dr ranj singh, accused the show of having a "toxic" culture of bullying and intimidation. eamonn holmes had already waded in calling holly and phil "a broken fit". itv says an external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination. but ratings have taken a hit — from over a million down to 700,000 last week. there are reports today that sponsors are also considering ditching the show. but what about you? if you're a regular viewer, do you feel let down? are advertisers right to be distancing themselves? or does it matter if on—air relationships aren't quite what we believe them to be? it's a massive part of itv�*s daytime schedule. of a lot of people's daytimes. this morning we're talking about this morning: will you turn off?

before we get into that we will have the bbc news with nick hatfield. the metropolitan police will stop attending emergency calls involving mental health incidents unless there's an immediate threat to life. the force says officers need to focus on fighting crime. the change is expected to come in from september. world leaders have been congratulating turkey's president erdogan after he won another five years in power. the election has divided the country, with mr erdogan winning 52% of the vote. russia has carried out another night of attacks on the ukrainian capital, kyiv, using drones and cruise missiles. ukrainian military officials say their defence forces shot down more than a0 targets. itv has confirmed that this morning will air today as normal and there are "no plans" to drop the show.

phillip schofield has left the broadcaster after admitting he lied about an affair with a younger male colleague. dr ranj singh — who worked on the show for a decade — says this morning had a "toxic culture". itv says an external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination. good morning to you all, wherever you are watching us all listening to us from. it's the story that pretty much everyone will have been talking about over the last two weeks and it all came to a head again over the weekend — the demise of holly and phil — the mainstay of morning telly for so many years. new revelations came to light in the last couple of days with phillip schofield coming clean about a relationship with a younger man who worked on the show. holly says she was lied to, the itv bosses say they were lied to, his agents say

they were also deceived. there are questions about who knew what when — and now the advertisers are getting cold feet — one of their main sponsors has said they will be ending their relationship with the show. the brand itself has been struggling for a while — from over a million viewers to just over 700,000 now — but it's still the go—to for so many people who want a bit of daytime distraction. the prime minister rishi sunak clearly still valued the power of the brand to reach certain audiences when he appeared on the show last week. you'll no doubt have seen the stories, you may have read the rumours — we won't be getting into that — you may feel like two of your tv best friends have betrayed you. this morning, we're talking about this morning — will you turn off? call 08085 909 693. find us on social media, or text 85058. and don't forget to include your name and where you're texting from.

we will get to your calls in a moment but we will start by talking to scott brian, tv critic and broadcaster. and ellie hedman is the showbiz news editor with the sun newspaper. how bad is this for this morning, do you think? i newspaper. how bad is this for this morning, do you think?— newspaper. how bad is this for this morning, do you think? i mean, very damauain. morning, do you think? i mean, very damaging- i'm _ morning, do you think? i mean, very damaging. i'm surprised _ morning, do you think? i mean, very damaging. i'm surprised this - morning, do you think? i mean, very| damaging. i'm surprised this morning has continued in the short term and they haven't taken the decision to take it off air for the time being. take it off airfor the time being. i take it off air for the time being. i think it's really quite big for the show, just because of the consequences it is having so far. advertisers pulling out. i can't imagine many guests who are normally the mainstay of this programme will be pleased to continue on with it. and it's all so i find when a show becomes the focus like this in such a big way, it's hard to think of the morale of the production team moving

on, for the show to try and continue with its regular selection of features. it's a different situation but i think its similar parallels to what happened with the ellen degeneres show in the us. that was in regards to allegations of a toxic workplace culture behind the scenes and viewers really found they were not that keen on watching that show and the show didn't continue for many months. i think viewers do care about the situations that can happen behind—the—scenes as much as they care about what happens in front of them. it care about what happens in front of them. , , . ., care about what happens in front of them. ,_ ., care about what happens in front of them. ., them. it is such a strong brand. dermot 0'leary _ them. it is such a strong brand. dermot o'leary and _ them. it is such a strong brand. dermot o'leary and alison - them. it is such a strong brand. - dermot o'leary and alison hammond dermot 0'leary and alison hammond will present today, they are a well loved team, the two of them. do you think that might be enough to carry them through? but you think the problems run much deeper? i them through? but you think the problems run much deeper? i think the do.

problems run much deeper? i think they d0- it's _ problems run much deeper? i think they do. it's been _ problems run much deeper? i think they do. it's been quite _ problems run much deeper? i think they do. it's been quite strange - they do. it's been quite strange watching this morning in the last couple of weeks because it feels as though you're watching a show from a parallel universe. when philip schofield initially stood down and dermot and alison opened the show last monday they focused on his departure for only 30 seconds and then tried to move on to the regular staple of features that this morning is known for. i think viewers are not paying attention to the regular features. it'sjust not paying attention to the regular features. it's just because the ongoing reporting in regards to this show is far bigger than the show itself. this morning has been in controversy before. it is a very long long—running brand but in the last ten or 20 years it has been reshaped around the image of holly and phil. it is their show. there are other presenters but it will be hard for the show to find a new style with different presenters at

least in the short term so i think that's also something to consider. i think it of course comes down to first and foremost the viewers. itv is a huge commercial channel and it listens closely to its advertisers and pays attention to what viewers are thinking and as you pointed out there had been a dip recently in viewing figures. it will be interesting to see how they perform today. people might be tuning in at ten to see how this morning decides to move on from this story but long term there is a reputational risk and i think itv will want to be seen to be moving forward with the programme but if viewers are still thinking about this, they might not want to be watching this morning any more. ., y ., ~ want to be watching this morning any more. ., ,, ~ ,.,,, , more. ellie, do you think itv bosses will be in a — more. ellie, do you think itv bosses will be in a panic— more. ellie, do you think itv bosses will be in a panic today? _ more. ellie, do you think itv bosses will be in a panic today? they -

more. ellie, do you think itv bosses will be in a panic today? they have i will be in a panic today? they have a anic will be in a panic today? they have a panic on — will be in a panic today? they have a panic on our— will be in a panic today? they have a panic on our hands _ will be in a panic today? they have a panic on our hands in _ will be in a panic today? they have a panic on our hands in terms - will be in a panic today? they have a panic on our hands in terms of. a panic on our hands in terms of their_ a panic on our hands in terms of their viewers not trusting them any more _ their viewers not trusting them any more the — their viewers not trusting them any more. the m0 of the this morning is that it _ more. the m0 of the this morning is that it was _ more. the m0 of the this morning is that it was trusted, family friendly. people believe that people on the _ friendly. people believe that people on the show were speaking the truth and that— on the show were speaking the truth and that trust has been broken. if you lose — and that trust has been broken. if you lose trust, you lose viewers so ithink— you lose trust, you lose viewers so i think the — you lose trust, you lose viewers so i think the this morning bosses will be thinking, how do we get the trust back be thinking, how do we get the trust hack and _ be thinking, how do we get the trust back and get people to trust the brand _ back and get people to trust the brand again because it has been badly— brand again because it has been badly damaged. do brand again because it has been badly damaged.— brand again because it has been badly damaged. do you think it is salvageable _ badly damaged. do you think it is salvageable as _ badly damaged. do you think it is salvageable as a _ badly damaged. do you think it is salvageable as a brand? - badly damaged. do you think it is salvageable as a brand? i - badly damaged. do you think it is salvageable as a brand? i think. badly damaged. do you think it is i salvageable as a brand? i think so. it needs a shake-up _ salvageable as a brand? i think so. it needs a shake-up and _ salvageable as a brand? i think so. it needs a shake-up and fresh - salvageable as a brand? i think so. | it needs a shake-up and fresh look. it needs a shake—up and fresh look. phil has _ it needs a shake—up and fresh look. phil has them the right thing in stepping — phil has them the right thing in stepping back, putting out a statement and stepping away from the brand _ statement and stepping away from the brand. questions need to be asked at itv. brand. questions need to be asked at w if_ brand. questions need to be asked at itv. if concerns were raised and then— itv. if concerns were raised and then ignored, that is a culture, and as dr_ then ignored, that is a culture, and as dr rani — then ignored, that is a culture, and as dr ranj has said, he thinks it's toxic— as dr ranj has said, he thinks it's toxic and — as dr ranj has said, he thinks it's toxic and needs to change. they need toxic and needs to change. they need to shake _ toxic and needs to change. they need to shake it—

toxic and needs to change. they need to shake it up, it is a huge daytime show, _ to shake it up, it is a huge daytime show. a _ to shake it up, it is a huge daytime show, a staple of itv programming and people — show, a staple of itv programming and people like it. itjust needs some _ and people like it. itjust needs some obvious changes made from the top. some obvious changes made from the to . _ ., some obvious changes made from the to -. ., ., some obvious changes made from the to-. ., some obvious changes made from the to. ., ., top. scott made the point that if reuular top. scott made the point that if regular guests — top. scott made the point that if regular guests start _ top. scott made the point that if regular guests start to _ top. scott made the point that if regular guests start to say - top. scott made the point that if regular guests start to say theyl regular guests start to say they won't come on then they will have a problem filling it. i won't come on then they will have a problem filling it.— problem filling it. i think so. we wrote yesterday _ problem filling it. i think so. we wrote yesterday in _ problem filling it. i think so. we wrote yesterday in the - problem filling it. i think so. we wrote yesterday in the sun - problem filling it. i think so. we - wrote yesterday in the sun newspaper that they _ wrote yesterday in the sun newspaper that they are falling like a house of cards — that they are falling like a house of cards with the book is struggling to get— of cards with the book is struggling to get people on but give it three or four— to get people on but give it three or four weeks, to get people on but give it three orfourweeks, if to get people on but give it three or four weeks, if they get the trust back or four weeks, if they get the trust hack and _ or four weeks, if they get the trust back and keep broadcasting as they are, then _ back and keep broadcasting as they are, then it— back and keep broadcasting as they are, then it can be changed but i culture _ are, then it can be changed but i culture from the tap probably needs to change _ culture from the tap probably needs to change in my eyes that's the issue — to change in my eyes that's the issue. ~ ., , ., , to change in my eyes that's the issue. .,, ., ,�* ., issue. where does holly willoughby's relationship with _ issue. where does holly willoughby's relationship with the _ issue. where does holly willoughby's relationship with the show _ issue. where does holly willoughby's relationship with the show go - issue. where does holly willoughby's relationship with the show go to? - relationship with the show go to? you can see from her statement how upset _ you can see from her statement how upset she _ you can see from her statement how upset she is — you can see from her statement how upset she is. she has taken two weeks _ upset she is. she has taken two weeks off _ upset she is. she has taken two weeks off. i don't know how she feels _ weeks off. i don't know how she feels but — weeks off. i don't know how she feels but she might be weighing up her position as well. it's all been very— her position as well. it's all been very damaging and people associated with this _ very damaging and people associated with this morning will be assessing their position and deciding what they want to do moving forward.

holly's _ they want to do moving forward. holly's statement says she's incredibly upset by what has happened and i think she will take this time — happened and i think she will take this time off to speak to those around — this time off to speak to those around her to decide on her next best— around her to decide on her next best move — around her to decide on her next best move. to around her to decide on her next best move-— around her to decide on her next best move. ., , .,, best move. to some people will say, wh on best move. to some people will say, why on earth — best move. to some people will say, why on earth is _ best move. to some people will say, why on earth is the _ best move. to some people will say, why on earth is the main _ best move. to some people will say, why on earth is the main topic - best move. to some people will say, why on earth is the main topic of - why on earth is the main topic of your phone in today western mob wives it matter? how do you answer that? i wives it matter? how do you answer that? 4' wives it matter? how do you answer that? ~ , wives it matter? how do you answer that? 4' , ~ ., , wives it matter? how do you answer that? 4' , a, , ., that? i think this morning is a huge programme — that? i think this morning is a huge programme for _ that? i think this morning is a huge programme for itv. _ that? i think this morning is a huge programme for itv. it's _ that? i think this morning is a huge programme for itv. it's quite - programme for itv. it's quite different to a lot of daytime tv in which many of the clips on it to go incredibly well online. there's an audience of normally around i million people who tune in every day but then with select moments, be that a funny interview or a cooking recipe or something that goes wrong, it particularly travels well with audiences not watching at the time. i think it's also that familiarity. many people have watched this morning at one point or another. it's one of itv�*s most well—known

brands. i think the issues around it really seem to have touched a lot of people's concern over the weekend about workplace culture, power dynamics. i think since me too, there will have been a lot more attention on this in society in general, the way society has handled this in decades past need to be changed going forward. i think viewers care about this because it might indirectly or directly reflect a situation that might be happening in their own workplace culture. i think people will be looking at itv to make sure it finds a way, find the right approach and move forward from this in the right way. it from this in the right way. it interesting you talk about the whole issue around culture on the show and how it reflects dynamics in other workplaces. and itv, by the way, let's say once again, they say an external review found no evidence of

bullying or dissemination. i guess the interesting test will be if we get any more stories like dr ranj coming out. —— or discrimination. i coming out. —— or discrimination. i think dr ranj has started that. i know— think dr ranj has started that. i know twitter is often a cesspit of opinions — know twitter is often a cesspit of opinions but in this way it is quite important — opinions but in this way it is quite important because if you look at the replies— important because if you look at the replies people are saying me too, i experienced this. if other people find their— experienced this. if other people find their voices like dr ranj it will be — find their voices like dr ranj it will be incredibly damaging because nobody— will be incredibly damaging because nobody wants a toxic culture at their— nobody wants a toxic culture at their workplace and there is clearly one there — their workplace and there is clearly one there. for dr ranj to speak out about— one there. for dr ranj to speak out about it _ one there. for dr ranj to speak out about it is — one there. for dr ranj to speak out about it is incredibly brave, he has done _ about it is incredibly brave, he has done the _ about it is incredibly brave, he has done the right thing and i think others — done the right thing and i think others will follow suit and more of those _ others will follow suit and more of those stories will come out. it those stories will come out. would be those stories will come out. it would be interesting to hear from would be interesting to hearfrom other people this morning if they have worked in tv production and you want to talk about your experiences about life in that workplace. 08085 909 693 is the number to call. scott and ellie will stay with us for a while. we can talk to sylvia in

durham. good morning. good morning. thank ou durham. good morning. good morning. thank you for— durham. good morning. good morning. thank you for calling _ durham. good morning. good morning. thank you for calling this _ durham. good morning. good morning. thank you for calling this morning. - thank you for calling this morning. what do you think of this morning and will you be watching today? trio. and will you be watching today? no, i won't be and will you be watching today? firr, i won't be watching today. my opinion is, phillip schofield has, along withjudy finnigan, made this morning. they have a lot to be thankful to that man for. but his private life, as long at is legal and everyone is in participation, i don't understand why it should have anything to do with his working life. nor do i think holly willoughby has any right to say anything because his private life has nothing to do with her. same as her private life has nothing to do with him. ., ., ,

her private life has nothing to do with him. ., .,, , her private life has nothing to do with him. ., ., , , ., her private life has nothing to do with him. ., .,, , ., , with him. you feel he has been a bit hard done by? _ with him. you feel he has been a bit hard done by? i _ with him. you feel he has been a bit hard done by? i do _ with him. you feel he has been a bit hard done by? i do feel— with him. you feel he has been a bit hard done by? i do feel he - with him. you feel he has been a bit hard done by? i do feel he has- with him. you feel he has been a bit hard done by? i do feel he has beenj hard done by? i do feel he has been because he — hard done by? i do feel he has been because he has _ hard done by? i do feel he has been because he has given _ hard done by? i do feel he has been because he has given his— hard done by? i do feel he has been because he has given his life - hard done by? i do feel he has been because he has given his life to - because he has given his life to this programme. he has been around an awful long time and everything he has done has been extremely good. he's a very professional man, he has given everything to this morning and they have seemed to jump on him as soon as a little thing has happened. the thing is, he lied to his bosses, he lied to his co—presenter and has admitted that himself. i he lied to his co-presenter and has admitted that himself.— admitted that himself. i don't understand — admitted that himself. i don't understand how _ admitted that himself. i don't understand how or _ admitted that himself. i don't understand how or why - admitted that himself. i don't understand how or why he - admitted that himself. i don't i understand how or why he would admitted that himself. i don't - understand how or why he would like because if someone said to me, are you having a relationship with xyz, i would say, that's nothing to do with you. i'm here to do a job, i will do myjob to the best of my ability, but my private life is my private life and it doesn't have anything to do with anybody. normally this would be part of your day, sitting down, having a cup of

tea and watching holly and phil? yeah, i can go back tojudy finnigan and richard madeley, i loved them too, absolutely adored them. maybe brina them too, absolutely adored them. maybe bring them back, _ too, absolutely adored them. maybe bring them back, is _ too, absolutely adored them. maybe bring them back, is that _ too, absolutely adored them. maybe bring them back, is that the - too, absolutely adored them. maybe| bring them back, is that the answer? yeah, maybe. but when phillip schofield took over, he seemed to fit in very well and then he brought holly willoughby on board and because no one actually knew holly until she got into this programme. and ijust think until she got into this programme. and i just think we have a until she got into this programme. and ijust think we have a lot until she got into this programme. and i just think we have a lot to until she got into this programme. and ijust think we have a lot to be thankfulfor and ijust think we have a lot to be thankful for because he has done an awful lot for the programme. and yet he has done something in private, with his private life, and we all seem to think it's a big thing and it shouldn't be. you seem to think it's a big thing and it shouldn't be.— it shouldn't be. you won't be watching. — it shouldn't be. you won't be watching. you _ it shouldn't be. you won't be watching, you are _ it shouldn't be. you won't be| watching, you are boycotting, it shouldn't be. you won't be - watching, you are boycotting, so will anything tempt? i watching, you are boycotting, so will anything tempt?— will anything tempt? i will watch ous will anything tempt? i will watch yous instead! — will anything tempt? i will watch yous instead! lovely. _ will anything tempt? i will watch

yous instead! lovely. that's - will anything tempt? i will watch yous instead! lovely. that's a i will anything tempt? i will watch i yous instead! lovely. that's a small compensation- _ yous instead! lovely. that's a small compensation. if _ yous instead! lovely. that's a small compensation. if you _ yous instead! lovely. that's a small compensation. if you want - yous instead! lovely. that's a small compensation. if you want to - yous instead! lovely. that's a small compensation. if you want to share | compensation. if you want to share your views, send us a text on 85058 or call 08085 909 693. howard says he definitely won't be watching. i always had it on in the background, stopping when something of interest came for me but it's the bbc or may be sky in the future. ricky says the show always frustrated me. it dealt with important issues but in vacuous features. if this culture was going on behind the scenes how many other shows do the same? back to the callers, geoffrey is in glasgow. how are you doing?— are you doing? fine, how are you? not too bad- _ are you doing? fine, how are you? not too bad. what _ are you doing? fine, how are you? not too bad. what you _ are you doing? fine, how are you? not too bad. what you make - are you doing? fine, how are you? not too bad. what you make of. are you doing? fine, how are you? not too bad. what you make of it? are you doing? fine, how are you? | not too bad. what you make of it? i not too bad. what you make of it? i think phillip schofield was brave to come out and say he had done wrong. as the last caller said, his private life is his private life and it shouldn't be involved in itv. i can

understand where he's coming from, he has admitted he has done wrong. and i think that he should be given another chance to come back and apologise again and maybe holly should take her head out of the sand and be thankful that he has admitted it. because in the long run he could have gone on and on and not even said anything and eventually he would have been found out and it might have been even worse, a worse outcome. ~ . . , might have been even worse, a worse outcome. ~ ., .,, ., ,., outcome. what was it about him you articularl outcome. what was it about him you particularly liked _ outcome. what was it about him you particularly liked and _ outcome. what was it about him you particularly liked and what _ outcome. what was it about him you particularly liked and what do - outcome. what was it about him you particularly liked and what do you i particularly liked and what do you feel he brought to the show? i particularly liked and what do you feel he brought to the show? i think he brou:ht feel he brought to the show? i think he brought a — feel he brought to the show? i think he brought a lot _ feel he brought to the show? i think he brought a lot of _ feel he brought to the show? i think he brought a lot of fun _ feel he brought to the show? i think he brought a lot of fun to _ feel he brought to the show? i think he brought a lot of fun to the - he brought a lot of fun to the programme. him and holly. it was great, it was a great programme to watch but i think in the last couple of months you could see there was stress and strain, with them both being on at the same time. i think

holly should come out and say, look, he has admitted it, he has done wrong, let's continue with the programme. it won't be the same without them. do programme. it won't be the same without them.— without them. do you think the relationship — without them. do you think the relationship is _ without them. do you think the relationship is repairable? - without them. do you think the relationship is repairable? if i without them. do you think the | relationship is repairable? if it's done the right _ relationship is repairable? if it's done the right way _ relationship is repairable? if it's done the right way it _ relationship is repairable? if it's done the right way it could - relationship is repairable? if it�*s done the right way it could be repairable. done the right way it could be repairable-— repairable. this is very interesting. _ repairable. this is very interesting. bringing i repairable. this is very - interesting. bringing showbiz repairable. this is very _ interesting. bringing showbiz news editor for the sun back interesting. bringing showbiz news editorfor the sun back in, ellie henman, this is a turn i wasn't expecting, people who feel a loyalty to phillip schofield and feel he has been hard done by. i to phillip schofield and feel he has been hard done by.— been hard done by. i completely arree been hard done by. i completely agree with _ been hard done by. i completely agree with both _ been hard done by. i completely agree with both sides. _ been hard done by. i completely agree with both sides. he - been hard done by. i completely agree with both sides. he is - agree with both sides. he is entitled _ agree with both sides. he is entitled to a private life, he is a private — entitled to a private life, he is a private individual and lives his own life, private individual and lives his own life. but _ private individual and lives his own life. but i— private individual and lives his own life, but i think the issue is, he lied. _ life, but i think the issue is, he lied. as — life, but i think the issue is, he lied. as you _ life, but i think the issue is, he lied, as you rightly said it, to his employers. _ lied, as you rightly said it, to his employers, agents and lawyers. this lie has _ employers, agents and lawyers. this lie has gone — employers, agents and lawyers. this lie has gone on for a rather long time _ lie has gone on for a rather long time and — lie has gone on for a rather long time and people are so upset by that _ time and people are so upset by that it — time and people are so upset by that. it bubbles down to trust. if the trust — that. it bubbles down to trust. if the trust is — that. it bubbles down to trust. if the trust is gone it is very hard to -et the trust is gone it is very hard to get it— the trust is gone it is very hard to

get it back — the trust is gone it is very hard to get it back i_ the trust is gone it is very hard to get it back. i think phil has done the right— get it back. i think phil has done the right thing, issuing the statement. he said himself he made a bad judgment and will reflect on that _ bad judgment and will reflect on that i_ bad judgment and will reflect on that. i think by stepping out, stepping _ that. i think by stepping out, stepping away and taking time away he can— stepping away and taking time away he can reassess his position. in terms — he can reassess his position. in terms of— he can reassess his position. in terms of being hard done by, i don't think— terms of being hard done by, i don't think so _ terms of being hard done by, i don't think so he — terms of being hard done by, i don't think so. he has brought the brand into disrepute. through his lies, if he had _ into disrepute. through his lies, if he had just— into disrepute. through his lies, if he had just been honest, and as he said himself, it's a badjudgment. everyone — said himself, it's a badjudgment. everyone makes a bad judgment, we are all— everyone makes a bad judgment, we are all human and phil isjust human. _ are all human and phil isjust human, but he is paying the consequences of a really bad call. it consequences of a really bad call. a scott consequences of a really bad call. scott bryan, does he have a future in tv still? i scott bryan, does he have a future in tv still?— in tv still? i don't think so. at least in the — in tv still? i don't think so. at least in the short _ in tv still? i don't think so. at least in the short term. - in tv still? i don't think so. at least in the short term. i - in tv still? | don't think so. at j least in the short term. i think in tv still? i don't think so. at | least in the short term. i think it is, i agree, least in the short term. i think it is, iagree, down least in the short term. i think it is, i agree, down to trust. 0nce least in the short term. i think it is, i agree, down to trust. once you lose trust with audiences, but also with your boss, it's very hard for that relationship to be repaired. i think it raises questions about what

will happen with holly on the programme as well because they come very much as a partnership. she is off for the next week. purely in regards to phil, i don't think there is a future in tv broadcasting. let's look again a little bit more at the culture a number of people have raised behind the scenes at this morning. you may have seen over the weekend, nadine dorries was on the weekend, nadine dorries was on the bbc, speaking to laura kuenssberg. that was on laura kuenssberg. that was on laura kuenssberg on sunday. she talked about her experience on the show. being interviewed as a politician by a journalist is never an easy experience but ijust found him to be quite bullying in his attitude towards the co—host who was standing in for holly willoughby and that made me feel more uncomfortable than answering the questions. when the camera was on me and i was talking, he started aggressivelyjabbing at

the script in his hands and the pages were rattling and a co—presenter looked terrified. that co-presenter looked terrified. that was nadine — co—presenter looked terrified. that was nadine dorries' experience. itv haveissued was nadine dorries' experience. itv have issued a statement where they have issued a statement where they have said there is no evidence. they have said there is no evidence. they have carried out an external review and they have found no evidence of bullying or discrimination at the show. let's go back to geoffrey in glasgow. does that worry you all bother you what may have been going on behind the scenes? weill. bother you what may have been going on behind the scenes?— on behind the scenes? well, the thin is, on behind the scenes? well, the thing is. you _ on behind the scenes? well, the thing is, you don't _ on behind the scenes? well, the thing is, you don't know - on behind the scenes? well, the thing is, you don't know about . on behind the scenes? well, the - thing is, you don't know about these things until they come out. if it's true, it shouldn't happen. it shouldn't happen in any workplace. and it should be sorted out. he's probably not the only one. itv should sit down with their workers and say, look, if you are doing this or doing that, you should sort it

out. itv should sort it out, basically. out. itv should sort it out, basically-— out. itv should sort it out, basically. out. itv should sort it out, basicall. ., ., ., basically. have a good day. you won't be watching _ basically. have a good day. you won't be watching this - basically. have a good day. you won't be watching this morning | basically. have a good day. you - won't be watching this morning this morning? i won't be watching this morning this mornin: ? . , won't be watching this morning this mornin: ? ., , ., ., won't be watching this morning this morninu? ., , ., ., , ., morning? i really want to see how it ans out. morning? i really want to see how it pans out- i — morning? i really want to see how it pans out- i might— morning? i really want to see how it pans out. i might watch _ morning? i really want to see how it pans out. i might watch through - morning? i really want to see how it pans out. i might watch through the j pans out. i might watch through the week but i won't be watching today because i have things to do. tiler;r because i have things to do. they enou~h, because i have things to do. they enough. it _ because i have things to do. they enough. it is— because i have things to do. they enough, it is the _ because i have things to do. they enough, it is the bank— because i have things to do. they enough, it is the bank holiday, don't blame you for that. thanks for calling, geoffrey in glasgow. let's go to a public relations and social media expert. how are you? find. go to a public relations and social media expert. how are you? find, how are ou? media expert. how are you? find, how are you? good. — media expert. how are you? find, how are you? good, thanks. _ media expert. how are you? find, how are you? good, thanks. you _ media expert. how are you? find, how are you? good, thanks. you can - media expert. how are you? find, how are you? good, thanks. you can see i media expert. how are you? find, how are you? good, thanks. you can see a | are you? good, thanks. you can see a real loyalty — are you? good, thanks. you can see a real loyalty to — are you? good, thanks. you can see a real loyalty to phillip _ are you? good, thanks. you can see a real loyalty to phillip schofield - real loyalty to phillip schofield among some of his audience. but the media impression you get is that his brand is toxic. how do you read it? again, it's a super tricky one. i can absolutely see every side of it. i think phillip schofield has been such a key part of notjust our mornings but lots of different programmes in different parts of our

lives with all the work he has done over the years so it is a challenging one. and it's really good to hear that balanced argument because if we look at the papers, it's very much one way, and it's good to have people and viewers on to talk about how they feel sorry for him. ., ., for him. yeah, iwonder if... i mean, for him. yeah, iwonder if... i mean. a _ for him. yeah, iwonder if... i mean, a couple _ for him. yeah, iwonder if... i mean, a couple of _ for him. yeah, iwonder if... i mean, a couple of callers - for him. yeah, iwonder if... i| mean, a couple of callers have suggested there should be a pathway back for him. it feels like that is completely out of the question now but if you were advising him, what would you be saying to him right now? i would you be saying to him right now? ., ., ,., now? i feel that having some time awa is a now? i feel that having some time away is a good _ now? i feel that having some time away is a good call. _ now? i feel that having some time away is a good call. if _ now? i feel that having some time away is a good call. if we - now? i feel that having some time away is a good call. if we look - away is a good call. if we look back at different celebrities when things haven't gone well, having time away, distance, water under the bridge so people can move on, is advisable. i don't think anybody would like to be in the spotlight in such an intense way for their personal and private

life so in stepping away it gives him some space to let things calm down for him on a mental level and have a bit of breathing space. i know i would want to do that if it was me. ., , ~ ., was me. never turned on this morning and never liked — was me. never turned on this morning and never liked phillip— was me. never turned on this morning and never liked phillip schofield. - and never liked phillip schofield. nobody is that nice! flail and never liked phillip schofield. nobody is that nice!— nobody is that nice! callus on 08085 909 — nobody is that nice! callus on 08085 909 693. _ nobody is that nice! callus on 08085 909 693. send - nobody is that nice! callus on 08085 909 693. send a - nobody is that nice! callus on 08085 909 693. send a text | nobody is that nice! callus on i 08085 909 693. send a text and nobody is that nice! callus on - 08085 909 693. send a text and tell us where you are. the number is 08085 909 693. we can go to slough now. ., ., y ., 08085 909 693. we can go to slough now. ., ., i. ., , now. how are you doing this fine bank holiday? _ now. how are you doing this fine bank holiday? very _ now. how are you doing this fine bank holiday? very good, - now. how are you doing this fine bank holiday? very good, thank| now. how are you doing this fine - bank holiday? very good, thank you. will ou be bank holiday? very good, thank you. will you be watching _ bank holiday? very good, thank you. will you be watching the _ bank holiday? very good, thank you. will you be watching the telly - bank holiday? very good, thank you. will you be watching the telly at - will you be watching the telly at ten o'clock, apart from watching us now, will you switch over? i actually prefer the programme anyway when alison and dermot are hosting. with any programme they can become a bit stagnant. ijust love with any programme they can become a bit stagnant. i just love alison's life, literally no matter what mood

i am in, it cheers me up. in regards to what's going on with philip, i think of the culture, we seem to be hot on discriminating people and discrediting them. and really none of us know what is going on. i think give it chance to simmer down and keep his private life private unless there is something that really needs to be in the media. he there is something that really needs to be in the media.— to be in the media. he had that big moment where _ to be in the media. he had that big moment where he _ to be in the media. he had that big moment where he came _ to be in the media. he had that big moment where he came out - to be in the media. he had that big moment where he came out and i to be in the media. he had that big i moment where he came out and was well supported by all his colleagues and it was really emotional. i think he carried people with him on that particular moment. i guess the problem is that behind that there was deceit. deceit to his colleagues, to his bosses, and that's problematic in any workplace, isn't it? , , ., �* ., that's problematic in any workplace, isn't it? , , ., ., isn't it? yes, but don't we all have thins isn't it? yes, but don't we all have things that — isn't it? yes, but don't we all have things that we _ isn't it? yes, but don't we all have things that we keep _ isn't it? yes, but don't we all have things that we keep private - isn't it? yes, but don't we all have things that we keep private to - isn't it? yes, but don't we all have things that we keep private to an i things that we keep private to an extent because there is a time and place for things to come out? i place for things to come out? i don't know, if someone here was having a relationship with someone else in the office space and they

were someone in position of considerable power and this was a younger and much less experienced person, i think in any workplace that would be problematic, wouldn't it? ~ ., ., , ., ., ~ it? well, not really. i have worked at different _ it? well, not really. i have worked at different companies _ it? well, not really. i have worked at different companies over - it? well, not really. i have worked at different companies over many | at different companies over many years and i have seen it happen in companies i have worked for. i think it depends on how it is handled and managed. if the person concerned is not saying anything, keep it that way, keep it private, unless there is something untoward that he has done, i think keep it private. his private life is private. latte done, i think keep it private. his private life is private.— done, i think keep it private. his private life is private. we will not see him back _ private life is private. we will not see him back on _ private life is private. we will not see him back on this _ private life is private. we will not see him back on this morning, i private life is private. we will not i see him back on this morning, are we? he may have a tv career in front of him, i don't know, but what about the show itself, can it carry on without him? i the show itself, can it carry on without him?— the show itself, can it carry on without him? ., ., , ., . ., without him? i tend to only watch on a friday when _ without him? i tend to only watch on a friday when alison _ without him? i tend to only watch on a friday when alison and _ without him? i tend to only watch on a friday when alison and dermot - without him? i tend to only watch on a friday when alison and dermot are j a friday when alison and dermot are on. i got a bit bored with it because it seems a bit repetitive now. i think sometimes fresh people

come into the show might be a better idea. it might take awhile to take off but i think in the end people carry on watching as much as people are saying at the moment they don't want to watch it, they will carry on watching it. people get used to new presenters. watching it. people get used to new resenters. . , watching it. people get used to new resenters. ., , ., ., �* , presenters. yeah, they do, that's true. i presenters. yeah, they do, that's true- ithink— presenters. yeah, they do, that's true. i think angela _ presenters. yeah, they do, that's true. i think angela in _ presenters. yeah, they do, that's true. i think angela in edinburgh | true. i think angela in edinburgh agrees with you. hello. goad agrees with you. hello. good morning- _ agrees with you. hello. good morning. good _ agrees with you. hello. good morning. good to _ agrees with you. hello. good morning. good to talk- agrees with you. hello. good morning. good to talk to - agrees with you. hello. good | morning. good to talk to you. agrees with you. hello. good l morning. good to talk to you. i think the programme _ morning. good to talk to you. i think the programme will- morning. good to talk to you. i think the programme will be i morning. good to talk to you. i - think the programme will be rotten without— think the programme will be rotten without him. i don't think... he made _ without him. i don't think... he made holly— without him. i don't think... he made holly willoughby and he made that show. people have short memories. it doesn't matter if anybody— memories. it doesn't matter if anybody is gay and it shouldn't matter~ — anybody is gay and it shouldn't matter. it's nobody else's business and i_ matter. it's nobody else's business and i think— matter. it's nobody else's business and i think the man is wonderful and ithink— and i think the man is wonderful and i think it's _ and i think the man is wonderful and i think it's very, very sad what they— i think it's very, very sad what they have _ i think it's very, very sad what they have done with him. it will be a sad _ they have done with him. it will be a sad loss— they have done with him. it will be a sad loss and wherever he goes they

should _ a sad loss and wherever he goes they should be _ a sad loss and wherever he goes they should be grateful for him. i a sad loss and wherever he goes they should be grateful for him.— should be gratefulfor him. i don't think it's about _ should be gratefulfor him. i don't think it's about him _ should be gratefulfor him. i don't think it's about him being - should be gratefulfor him. i don't think it's about him being gay. - should be grateful for him. i don't i think it's about him being gay. when he came out he had massive support from his presenters, production team and the response was warm and supportive. the issue was that this relationship, and we don't know all the circumstances so we will not get into that, but he was asked about it and he lied about it. you can't do that. �* , and he lied about it. you can't do that. �*, , ,, and he lied about it. you can't do that. �*, ,, ., that. it's nobody's business! no. just that. it's nobody's business! no. just because _ that. it's nobody's business! no. just because he's _ that. it's nobody's business! no. just because he's on _ that. it's nobody's business! no. just because he's on the - that. it's nobody's business! no. i just because he's on the television, it's nobody's business. they shouldn't— it's nobody's business. they shouldn't be delving into that. where — shouldn't be delving into that. where does that leave you and your loyalty to the show? i where does that leave you and your loyalty to the show?— loyalty to the show? i won't be watching- _ loyalty to the show? i won't be watching- i _ loyalty to the show? i won't be watching. i think— loyalty to the show? i won't be watching. i think the _ loyalty to the show? i won't be watching. i think the show, - loyalty to the show? i won't be | watching. i think the show, and loyalty to the show? i won't be i watching. i think the show, and i really— watching. i think the show, and i really am — watching. i think the show, and i really am not impressed with holly willoughby for not sticking by him. and also— willoughby for not sticking by him. and also the two hosts that are on it are _ and also the two hosts that are on it are rubbish compared to the two of them _ it are rubbish compared to the two of them. they are rubbish. you don't auree of them. they are rubbish. you don't a . ree with of them. they are rubbish. you don't agree with kazza _ of them. they are rubbish. you don't agree with kazza in _ of them. they are rubbish. you don't agree with kazza in slough _ of them. they are rubbish. you don't agree with kazza in slough on - of them. they are rubbish. you don't agree with kazza in slough on that i agree with kazza in slough on that one! i agree with kazza in slough on that one! ~ �* , , agree with kazza in slough on that one! ~' �* , , agree with kazza in slough on that one! ~ �*, , ., , one! i think it's very sad what they have done to _ one! i think it's very sad what they have done to him _ one! i think it's very sad what they have done to him and _ one! i think it's very sad what they have done to him and they - one! i think it's very sad what they have done to him and they should |

one! i think it's very sad what they i have done to him and they should be sorry for— have done to him and they should be sorry for their loss. just wait on the viewing _ sorry for their loss. just wait on the viewing figures, they will be sad for— the viewing figures, they will be sad for their loss. we were talking about— sad for their loss. we were talking about it. _ sad for their loss. we were talking about it. i— sad for their loss. we were talking about it, i meet for a coffee morning _ about it, i meet for a coffee morning and during the week everybody felt the same. everybody was angry— everybody felt the same. everybody was angry and upset, it's nobody's business _ was angry and upset, it's nobody's business whether he is gay or not. the two _ business whether he is gay or not. the two new hosts, which i like as well, _ the two new hosts, which i like as well, but — the two new hosts, which i like as well, but they are rotten compared with the _ well, but they are rotten compared with the previous two, phillip and holly _ with the previous two, phillip and holl . , , , holly. this is why it's fascinating to seak holly. this is why it's fascinating to speak to _ holly. this is why it's fascinating to speak to you _ holly. this is why it's fascinating to speak to you about _ holly. this is why it's fascinating to speak to you about this - holly. this is why it's fascinating i to speak to you about this because you are giving us a slightly different take on how you think the whole story has been handled. let me go back to scott bryan, our tv critic and broadcaster to hear what he makes of what the callers have told us this morning. are you surprised, there is a lot of loyalty to phillip schofield out there? personally speaking i am surprised there is a lot of loyalty. people obviously have a familiarity with him over the last few years on

screen but i think there has also been, particularly online, but that is just a bubble from people who weave the communities we are in, a lot of people who are considerably upset and feel there has been a lot of trust lost in regards to phillip schofield, but also a lot of concern surrounding what's happening beyond phillip schofield and with this morning in general. there are a lot of questions to be asked of itv and a lot of responses we will be expecting to have, and a lot of intrigue and how the show will try to move on at ten o'clock this morning. it to move on at ten o'clock this morning-— to move on at ten o'clock this morninu. , ., ,. ., morning. it will be fascinating. let's speak _ morning. it will be fascinating. let's speak to _ morning. it will be fascinating. let's speak to someone - morning. it will be fascinating. let's speak to someone who i morning. it will be fascinating. let's speak to someone who isj morning. it will be fascinating. - let's speak to someone who is quite so faithful to fill. patricia in london. what do you reckon? dr ranj i'm quite so far. we all dr ran' i'm quite so far. we all have dr ranj i'm quite so far. we all have workplace _ dr ranj i'm quite so far. we all have workplace rules, - dr ranj i'm quite so far. we all have workplace rules, the - dr ranj i'm quite so far. we all- have workplace rules, the standard

but if— have workplace rules, the standard but if you _ have workplace rules, the standard but if you are having a relationship co—colleagues you're to disclose that, _ co—colleagues you're to disclose that, especially the fact it is a subordinate you're meant to disclose it so i'm _ subordinate you're meant to disclose it so i'm not — subordinate you're meant to disclose it so i'm not sure why people say he shouldn't— it so i'm not sure why people say he shouldn't have to say because in most _ shouldn't have to say because in most workplaces you do have to say. just common practice you have to be honest and upfront about this? exactly. there are questions to be asked _ exactly. there are questions to be asked about the rest of the team as well because not convinced that other— well because not convinced that other people didn't know what was going _ other people didn't know what was going on — other people didn't know what was going on. but it was up to fill to say _ going on. but it was up to fill to say he — going on. but it was up to fill to say. he was asked, are you having a relationship? — say. he was asked, are you having a relationship? it was up to him to admit _ relationship? it was up to him to admit it — relationship? it was up to him to admit it. we relationship? it was up to him to admit it. ~ , ., admit it. we should say i investigated _ admit it. we should say i investigated rumours - admit it. we should say i investigated rumours ofl admit it. we should say i | investigated rumours of a relationship when they first began to circulate. both parties were questioning, both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours and thatis repeatedly denied the rumours and that is itv�*s position in all of this. what you make of the people who say you made the show, we should leave anything that happened in his private life to that and keep it private, then carry on?- private life to that and keep it private, then carry on? can't say i'm a private, then carry on? can't say i'm a great _ private, then carry on? can't say

i'm a great fan — private, then carry on? can't say i'm a great fan of— private, then carry on? can't say i'm a great fan of the _ private, then carry on? can't say i'm a great fan of the show- private, then carry on? can't say i'm a great fan of the show but i | i'm a great fan of the show but i don't _ i'm a great fan of the show but i don't think— i'm a great fan of the show but i don't think you made the show. there were presenters before him and they will be _ were presenters before him and they will be presented after him, it was just a _ will be presented after him, it was just a show— will be presented after him, it was just a show at the end of the day and it's— just a show at the end of the day and it'sjust _ just a show at the end of the day and it'sjust who just a show at the end of the day and it's just who they choose to presented. it and it's just who they choose to presented-— and it's just who they choose to resented. , , ., ., presented. it is 'ust a show at the end of the — presented. it is 'ust a show at the end of the day. — presented. it isjust a show at the end of the day, angela. _ presented. it isjust a show at the end of the day, angela. angela? | end of the day, angela. angela? angela has gone. i wanted to see what she might say about that but never mind. the treasure, thank you. really valuable getting your thoughts this morning. it has been fascinating so far today. let's hear from more of you, please. more of your calls and comments to come. we are heading to the news at exactly 9.33. time to get the bbc news with nick hatfield. thank you, rachel, good morning. metropolitan police officers will not attend emergency calls linked to mental health incidents from september, unless there is a threat to life.

the aim is to free up officers so they can spend more time tackling crime. supporters of president erdogan have celebrated overnight after he won turkey's election run—off. he's promised to build a strong economy, with the country's annual inflation rate running at almost 44%. kyiv has been hit by more russian drones and missiles overnight. ukrainian military officials say defence forces shot down more than a0 targets and there is no major damage or casualties. and this morning will air as normal today, following the phillip schofield revelations. itv says there are no plans to scrap the show. phillip schofield left the broadcaster after admitting he lied to cover up an affair with a younger colleague. let's get the sports news now. good morning. the everton manager sean dyche says "there's a lot to do" at the club after they staved off relegation from the premier league on the final day. everton's 1—0 win over bournemouth keeps them in the top flight, while leeds united, and the 2016 champions leicester city are both down.

action continues on day two of the french open tennis, with british number one cameron norrie due to play france's benoit paire shortly. jack draper is also in first round action against argentina's tomas etcheverry. in formula 1, red bull's max verstappen says he's already looking forward to next weekend's spanish grand prix in barcelona. he won in monaco yesterday just ahead of aston martin's fernando alonso. and in cricket the chennai super kings will hope to equal mumbai's record tally of five indian premier league titles when they play the gujarat titans this afternoon. you can listen to full ball—by—ball commentary over on sports extra from 3pm.

welcome back. good morning, wherever you are watching on bbc two, bbc news, iplayer, if you are listening on 5 live bbc sound, lovely to have you with us on this bank holiday monday. we are talking about this morning this morning, will you be turning off when it goes out on air this morning? after everything we have learned about the presenters does still draw you in? that's what we are talking about. some fascinating calls and great to hear your views today. we will come back to some of those. coming up from ten o'clock this morning we are asking uk hotels how was your stay? it is bank holiday today, another chance to get out and about to take a break to get out and about to take a break to get out and about to take a break to get away, half term for many people as well. it is the third bank holiday this month on the unofficial start of summer and for many parents it feels like the children have barely been in school this month but that's another story. it is a busy

time for the hospitality industry and a busy time for hotels. there are nearly 10,000 hotel businesses in the uk, 56% of us have said we are going to stay in the uk this yearfor a holiday, and i have to say if you have chosen this week you have lucked out because the weather is fabulous. but there are challenges. hotels so they are struggling to find staff, vacancies are up 72% since brexit, there were 146,000 unfilled posts at the end of last year. so what is it like? we are really keen to hear from you if you work in the industry, if you have had a particularly good or a particularly bad stay at a hotel lately get in touch. i don't think there are many faulty towers experiences out there any more, or are there? you can let us know. we are there? you can let us know. we are going to draw back the curtain, get under the bed sheets, if you will all stop i want your tales from the front desk, please. uk hotels, how was your stay?

we have been talking about this morning on the show today and we have a bit of breaking news for you. we have had lots of people calling the show saying that they feel phillip schofield has been hard done by. we can speak to sanchia berg outside television centre which is where the show usually comes from. there has been a new statement from phillip schofield today. what has he been saying? he has been speaking out in defence of the team and in defence of this morning saying it is one big family, there was never any toxicity, he said, amongst the team, and the programme, and the voices, he says, that are criticising the programme today are the same voices who

criticised him before, so a clear statement in defence of the team itself and also of the programme, which is due to go out in less than half an hour. we understand it's going to be presented by alison hammond and dermot 0'leary. holly willoughby of course is a way for half term this week. so it should be coming up shortly. do half term this week. so it should be coming op shortly-— half term this week. so it should be coming up shortly. do you think that statement was _ coming up shortly. do you think that statement was in _ coming up shortly. do you think that statement was in part _ coming up shortly. do you think that statement was in part because - coming up shortly. do you think that statement was in part because of. statement was in part because of people like nadine dorries and dr ranj singh coming out and talking about what they felt was a toxic culture in the programme? that was, as ou culture in the programme? that was, as you say. — culture in the programme? that was, as you say. dr— culture in the programme? that was, as you say. dr ranj — culture in the programme? that was, as you say, dr ranj singh's _ culture in the programme? that was, as you say, dr ranj singh's actual - as you say, dr ranj singh's actual word, a culture of toxicity. so it does seem to be in direct response to that. it is worth reminding people that he was on the programme for many years, he said that he observed a culture of toxicity there, that he reported it to managers, and itv said they did have an external review, and inquiry into but they found there was no evidence of harassment or discrimination. so

that's their statement. he put out an extensive tweet last night talking about his history on the programme and his attempts to challenge this culture, as he called it. ,,., . ., challenge this culture, as he called it. . ., �* , challenge this culture, as he called it. sanchia berg my thank you very much, it. sanchia berg my thank you very much. who — it. sanchia berg my thank you very much. who is _ it. sanchia berg my thank you very much, who is standing _ it. sanchia berg my thank you very much, who is standing outside - much, who is standing outside television centre this morning which is where the show is filmed from. so it will go ahead as usual, 10am this morning. we can talk to bev lyons, an entertainmentjournalist. hello. an entertainment journalist. hello. good an entertainmentjournalist. hello. good morning to you. what an entertainment journalist. hello. good morning to you.— an entertainment journalist. hello. good morning to you. what you think the future is — good morning to you. what you think the future is for _ good morning to you. what you think the future is for this _ good morning to you. what you think the future is for this show, _ good morning to you. what you think the future is for this show, then? - the future is for this show, then? wow, so much talk around it, and great to hear all of the diverse opinions this morning. i think that obviously it's very much under the microscope at the moment. there may be more stories that come out in the coming weeks and days. it is definitely something, this statement that phillip has just made, definitely something, this statement that phillip hasjust made, he is trying to ring fence what has gone

on and saying this is just something focused on my situation as opposed to across the board with the broadcasting company. but obviously dr ranj questioning all of this command as you say, raising questions about bullying, mental health diversity. it clearly means that people will have to look inside the organisation to eradicate any of this. clearly with any big organisation there is always going to be some issues that need to be ironed out. so it's all down to really i think how this is now handled. it will be a very interesting to see this morning how this morning is actually handled going forward. and obviously itv are very much a well loved broadcaster. so you know, it would be very odd for it to just come off air. i can't

imagine that that would be the case. do you think they make reference to all the stories that have emerged over the weekend, or is it a case of keep calm and carry on?— keep calm and carry on? well, this is it, i wouldn't _ keep calm and carry on? well, this is it, i wouldn't like _ keep calm and carry on? well, this is it, i wouldn't like to _ keep calm and carry on? well, this is it, i wouldn't like to be - keep calm and carry on? well, this is it, i wouldn't like to be in - keep calm and carry on? well, this is it, i wouldn't like to be in the i is it, i wouldn't like to be in the producer's seat right now. but i think what they will probably do is i think they may mention it for a couple of minutes at the start of the show and then i think very much keep things very light and show that there is great humour in the this morning staff and showed that there is a lot of love and happiness there. i think that's what you would be trying to counteract all of the negativity with.— negativity with. this decline in audiences _ negativity with. this decline in audiences which _ negativity with. this decline in audiences which i _ negativity with. this decline in audiences which i think - negativity with. this decline in i audiences which i think predated negativity with. this decline in - audiences which i think predated any of this stuff coming out anyway, do you think that that's something that the itv bosses are inevitably going to have to address? does that mean the brand is not as strong as it was, is thatjust changing viewing habits? what is going on? i

was, is thatjust changing viewing habits? what is going on?- habits? what is going on? i think --eole habits? what is going on? i think people sort _ habits? what is going on? i think people sort of— habits? what is going on? i think people sort of get _ habits? what is going on? i think people sort of get used _ habits? what is going on? i think people sort of get used to - habits? what is going on? i think| people sort of get used to things, so it was possibly time for a bit of a freshen up. i think obviously by introducing alison hammond and dermot 0'leary into the seat they knew this situation needed to be dealt with in some respect. it's an interesting question whether this morning in its entity will remain. it may be that they continue with it just now, they may need to bring in a new title to the show meaning it is a different show but ultimately it will deliver very similar offerings. i think people do like to see a bit of morning tv when they are may be getting ready for work, or if they are at work, even command working from home, they have it on in the background, or however people have viewing habits. but you know, there is always going to be an audience for people to watch things

in the morning and to address what has happened overnight and during the day. as a journalist, i and many people look online for a lot of our news and a lot of our content these days. but equally tv is still a very, very strong medium, as is radio. ' . , , , radio. the difference is, i guess, that it's the _ radio. the difference is, i guess, that it's the company _ radio. the difference is, i guess, that it's the company you - radio. the difference is, i guess, that it's the company you keep. l radio. the difference is, i guess, i that it's the company you keep. it's like having a couple of friends in the corner of the room, even if you are not necessarily paying attention to them fully, they are there having a cup of coffee chatting about stuff and you feel you know them and you feel you like them, that's perhaps why it relies so much on the strength of a relationship and the believability, horrible word, but you know what i mean, about the genuine nature of that relationship as well. we wait to see what happens when holly comes back. let's go to some of our callers. loads coming in. we have matt in rugby. we have

chris in prestwich and d in purley. hello chris, hello, d. lovely to have you here. thanks for being there. matthew, radio stand? to be honest it was _ there. matthew, radio stand? to be honest it was bad _ there. matthew, radio stand? to be honest it was bad enough _ there. matthew, radio stand? trr as: honest it was bad enough what he's done anyway, sneaking around behind the back four years. what else is going to come out now? it's like john leslie, isn't it, years ago? let's not start any speculation. he's come out and said it happened and he has apologised. he he's come out and said it happened and he has apologised.— and he has apologised. he has apologised _ and he has apologised. he has apologised for _ and he has apologised. he has apologised for that _ and he has apologised. he has apologised for that but - and he has apologised. he has apologised for that but is - and he has apologised. he has apologised for that but is not i and he has apologised. he has i apologised for that but is notjust the start of it? i don't know. but to be honest i think he has let his family down, his work is down, his friends, he has even admitted that. but why did he do it in the first place? you know, why wasn't hejust honest and upfront to start off with? it honest and upfront to start off with? , �* ., , honest and upfront to start off with? ,�* ., with? it isn't always easy, whether ou are a with? it isn't always easy, whether you are a man _ with? it isn't always easy, whether you are a man or— with? it isn't always easy, whether you are a man or a _ with? it isn't always easy, whether you are a man or a woman - with? it isn't always easy, whether you are a man or a woman in - with? it isn't always easy, whether you are a man or a woman in that. you are a man or a woman in that position, to come out and say that.

it would be bad enough if he had cheated on his wife with another woman but it's probably more heartbreaking with it being a man, you know? heartbreaking with it being a man, ou know? ~ ., ., ~ , you know? well, we are not mrs schofield so _ you know? well, we are not mrs schofield so she _ you know? well, we are not mrs schofield so she will have - you know? well, we are not mrs schofield so she will have to - you know? well, we are not mrs. schofield so she will have to speak for herself how she found that experience. then they go to chris in prestwich. what do you reckon, chris? do you find that a sense of betrayal? chris? do you find that a sense of betra al? ., ., , , ., betrayal? not really. i fully agree with angela _ betrayal? not really. i fully agree with angela in — betrayal? not really. i fully agree with angela in edinburgh. - betrayal? not really. i fully agree with angela in edinburgh. she - betrayal? not really. i fully agree| with angela in edinburgh. she has absolutely hit the nail on the head. for a gay man to come out on television in front of millions, he might have treated his wife but she will get over it. regarding holly, she will get over it. they were personal and best friends, he should have told holly, but regarding the... , ., ., ., ., the... he should have have told holly before _ the... he should have have told holly before his _ the... he should have have told holly before his wife? - the... he should have have told holly before his wife? not - the... he should have have told. holly before his wife? not before his wife but _ holly before his wife? not before his wife but he _ holly before his wife? not before his wife but he should _ holly before his wife? not before his wife but he should have - holly before his wife? not before his wife but he should have told i his wife but he should have told holly. but i will certainly be watching the show.- holly. but i will certainly be watching the show. holly. but i will certainly be watchin: the show. , watching the show. even when he is not on it? absolutely, _ watching the show. even when he is not on it? absolutely, why - watching the show. even when he is not on it? absolutely, why not? - not on it? absolutely, why not? somebody _ not on it? absolutely, why not?

somebody else _ not on it? absolutely, why not? somebody else will _ not on it? absolutely, why not? somebody else will grab - not on it? absolutely, why not? somebody else will grab him, i not on it? absolutely, why not? i somebody else will grab him, you mark my word. it somebody else will grab him, you mark my word-— somebody else will grab him, you mark my word. it will be interesting to see where _ mark my word. it will be interesting to see where he _ mark my word. it will be interesting to see where he ends _ mark my word. it will be interesting to see where he ends up _ mark my word. it will be interesting to see where he ends up if - mark my word. it will be interesting to see where he ends up if his - mark my word. it will be interesting to see where he ends up if his tv i to see where he ends up if his tv career continues. i've said before and so i will say it again, the issue isn't that he had a relationship with somebody else, particularly, the issue is the power dynamic, a much older and experienced person with a huge amount of influence in world of television, and a much younger man. i think that would be questioned in any circumstances, in any workplace regardless of the nature of the relationship, wouldn't it? the man has done nothing _ relationship, wouldn't it? the man has done nothing illegal, - relationship, wouldn't it? the man has done nothing illegal, whetherl relationship, wouldn't it? the man i has done nothing illegal, whether he was younger or whatever, the man has done nothing wrong in my eyes. dee. done nothing wrong in my eyes. dee, what do you — done nothing wrong in my eyes. dee, what do you reckon? _ done nothing wrong in my eyes. dee, what do you reckon? i'm _ done nothing wrong in my eyes. dee, what do you reckon? i'm sure - done nothing wrong in my eyes. dee, what do you reckon? i'm sure the - what do you reckon? i'm sure the viewers will _ what do you reckon? i'm sure the viewers will say _ what do you reckon? i'm sure the viewers will say the _ what do you reckon? i'm sure the viewers will say the same. - what do you reckon? i'm sure the viewers will say the same. go - what do you reckon? i'm sure the j viewers will say the same. go on, dee. i viewers will say the same. go on, dee- i was _ viewers will say the same. go on, dee- i was going _ viewers will say the same. go on, dee. i was going to _ viewers will say the same. go on, dee. i was going to say _ viewers will say the same. go on, dee. i was going to say he - viewers will say the same. go on, dee. i was going to say he shouldj dee. i was going to say he should have been — dee. i was going to say he should have been open and _ dee. i was going to say he should have been open and honest - dee. i was going to say he should have been open and honest and l have been open and honest and upfront, — have been open and honest and upfront, and in a workplace relationship people always get found out. relationship people always get found out he _ relationship people always get found out. he misled his viewers and i feel sorry— out. he misled his viewers and i feel sorry for his wife and his family — feel sorry for his wife and his family. he has a name that we have grown _ family. he has a name that we have grown up _ family. he has a name that we have grown up with and we trust him, and ithink— grown up with and we trust him, and i think that's — grown up with and we trust him, and i think that's the worst thing. he

did children's tv and he has got a responsibility to the viewers and the public, people that follow him, and he _ the public, people that follow him, and he has — the public, people that follow him, and he has basically lied and he has cheated _ and he has basically lied and he has cheated on — and he has basically lied and he has cheated on his wife. that happens all the _ cheated on his wife. that happens all the time, we live in a world where that— all the time, we live in a world where that happens. it all the time, we live in a world where that happens.— all the time, we live in a world where that happens. it sure does! but i think we _ where that happens. it sure does! but i think we all— where that happens. it sure does! but i think we alljust _ where that happens. it sure does! but i think we alljust feel - where that happens. it sure does! but i think we alljust feel a - where that happens. it sure does! but i think we alljust feel a bit i but i think we alljust feel a bit let down— but i think we alljust feel a bit let down and misled, especially as someone — let down and misled, especially as someone we have grown up with, when people _ someone we have grown up with, when people use _ someone we have grown up with, when people use to watch him when he was presenting _ people use to watch him when he was presenting children's bbc. he's such a popular— presenting children's bbc. he's such a popular character and he is a really— a popular character and he is a really good presenter so it is a really good presenter so it is a real shame that this is how it sort of ended — real shame that this is how it sort of ended. he real shame that this is how it sort of ended. , , , , of ended. he expressed his regret. you can see _ of ended. he expressed his regret. you can see some _ of ended. he expressed his regret. you can see some of— of ended. he expressed his regret. you can see some of the _ of ended. he expressed his regret. | you can see some of the statement of ended. he expressed his regret. i you can see some of the statement if you are watching us this morning, you are watching us this morning, you can see there are great when he put out that long apology over the weekend when he admitted he had lied to so many people. tao weekend when he admitted he had lied to so many people-— to so many people. too little, too late. go to so many people. too little, too late- go on. _ to so many people. too little, too late. go on, matt. _ to so many people. too little, too late. go on, matt. i— to so many people. too little, too late. go on, matt. i said- to so many people. too little, too late. go on, matt. i said too i to so many people. too little, too late. go on, matt. i said too little| late. go on, matt. i said too little too late, really. _ late. go on, matt. i said too little

too late, really. yeah? _ late. go on, matt. i said too little too late, really. yeah? i- late. go on, matt. i said too little too late, really. yeah? ithink- late. go on, matt. i said too littlej too late, really. yeah? i think so. i don't too late, really. yeah? i think so. i don't think— too late, really. yeah? i think so. i don't think it — too late, really. yeah? i think so. i don't think it will _ too late, really. yeah? i think so. i don't think it will have _ too late, really. yeah? i think so. i don't think it will have done i too late, really. yeah? i think so. i don't think it will have done him | i don't think it will have done him any good at all. i think this is the end of his career, basically. idistill end of his career, basically. will ou kee end of his career, basically. will you keep watching the show? i i end of his career, basically. will. you keep watching the show? i will start watching _ you keep watching the show? i will start watching it _ you keep watching the show? i will start watching it again _ you keep watching the show? in it start watching it again now he you keep watching the show? iw it start watching it again now he is not on it, yes. start watching it again now he is not on it. yes-— start watching it again now he is not on it, es. e ., ., , not on it, yes. what about you, dee? i not on it, yes. what about you, dee? i sometimes — not on it, yes. what about you, dee? i sometimes have _ not on it, yes. what about you, dee? i sometimes have it _ not on it, yes. what about you, dee? i sometimes have it on _ not on it, yes. what about you, dee? i sometimes have it on in _ not on it, yes. what about you, dee? i sometimes have it on in the - i sometimes have it on in the background. i'm one of these people doing _ background. i'm one of these people doing a _ background. i'm one of these people doing a whole load of things but do like something on in the background. ithink— like something on in the background. i think the _ like something on in the background. i think the loyalty to the show is a different— i think the loyalty to the show is a different loyalty to the presenters, and people will carry on watching it. and people will carry on watching it it _ and people will carry on watching it it will— and people will carry on watching it. it willjust be, like the other viewer— it. it willjust be, like the other viewer said, it may end his presenting career but people will still watch the show. the show is the for— still watch the show. the show is the for giving people news and up—to—date current affairs on what is going _ up—to—date current affairs on what is going on — up-to-date current affairs on what is going on— is going on. it will be better now he has gone- _ is going on. it will be better now he has gone. better _ is going on. it will be better now he has gone. better now- is going on. it will be better now he has gone. better now he's i is going on. it will be better now i he has gone. better now he's gone? thank you. — he has gone. better now he's gone? thank you. matt _ he has gone. better now he's gone? thank you, matt and _ he has gone. better now he's gone? thank you, matt and dee. _ he has gone. better now he's gone? thank you, matt and dee. i'm i he has gone. better now he's gone? thank you, matt and dee. i'm glad i he has gone. better now he's gone? i thank you, matt and dee. i'm glad we are on in your background this morning. it is nice we are keeping

you company and thank you for talking to us. scott bryan still with us, tv critic and broadcaster. that statement phillip schofield made on instagram this morning, did it really tell us anything new from his perspective? i it really tell us anything new from his perspective?— his perspective? i mean, i'm 'ust havin: a his perspective? i mean, i'm 'ust having a htue �* his perspective? i mean, i'm 'ust having a little look i his perspective? i mean, i'm 'ust having a little look back i his perspective? i mean, i'm 'ust having a little look back at i his perspective? i mean, i'm 'ust having a little look back at it i his perspective? i mean, i'mjust having a little look back at it and | having a little look back at it and reading it again now because it has been quite a surprise to have it not that long before this morning areas. i think he is pretty adamant, saying that there was no toxicity in the time that he's been working on the programme. —— are's will stop saying the thousands of guests over the years, thousands of staff and crew and hundreds of presenters and contributors all know it is a family of wonderful, talented, kind, hard—working people. of course there are allegations about the workplace culture which itv deny on the other hand. the way to move forward from this is for itv to issue an independent investigation into the

workplace culture. i think it's very difficult if you are having a contributor or reporter saying one thing and a former host of a big tv programme saying another, and for the viewers and for the wider public alike to know esaki what the truth of it actually is. the way for itv to move on from this is to launch an investigation, which they might do. i think from itv management we haven't heard that much. —— to know exactly what the truth of it actually is. we will see how itv respond to the statement along with any other that might come out today with regard to this morning airing. itv said an external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination but i'm not sure exactly what that review encompassed. it may be that we hear some more from them today. we have had people saying they didn't have a great experience working on the show and other people saying they absolutely loved it. scott, we are going to let you go but thank you

for being with us this morning. much appreciated. scott bryan, tv critic and broadcaster. those of you sending in texts and tweets about this. let's read these. "we'll not watch any more this morning because i will miss phil and the show will not be the same without him. " "i have love the brand of holly and phil but the lies and cover—up will turn off viewers from both of the presenters and also the organisation." that is running in warwick. this one here, "philip has been a domineering presence on the programme out there have been a number of complaints about his behaviour and attitude to fellow presenters and guests. personally i stopped watching this morning after the queue to see the queen lying in state. time for a new programme with alison and dermot," says kate. if you want to send a text, 85058 at a signed bbc 5 live. rhea freeman, who is a public relations adviser is still here with us. —— @ bbc 5 live.

i almost forgot the queue jumping, thatis i almost forgot the queue jumping, that is what it saw off phil and holly a few months ago almost but they survived that one. thei;r holly a few months ago almost but they survived that one.— they survived that one. they did. and the fact _ they survived that one. they did. and the fact they _ they survived that one. they did. and the fact they were _ they survived that one. they did. and the fact they were in - they survived that one. they did. and the fact they were in the i they survived that one. they did. i and the fact they were in the media queue, they didn'tjump the queue, per se, they were in a different stream, that was correct, wasn't it? yes, that was right. the stream, that was correct, wasn't it? yes, that was right.— yes, that was right. the optics of it didn't look _ yes, that was right. the optics of it didn't look great _ yes, that was right. the optics of it didn't look great but _ yes, that was right. the optics of it didn't look great but actually i it didn't look great but actually they didn't do anything wrong and i think that it was actually quite horrible to see, the reaction they got from that, but then equally it was the death of the queen which is a really emotive subject. she has been that staple in all of our lives, hasn't she? but yes, i thought the way people attacked them both for that i thought that made me feel a bit sad, actually. f(slime both for that i thought that made me feel a bit sad, actually.— feel a bit sad, actually. once again i think it feel a bit sad, actually. once again i think it played — feel a bit sad, actually. once again i think it played into _ feel a bit sad, actually. once again i think it played into this _ i think it played into this narrative that they are people like us, they are our friends, narrative that they are people like us, they are ourfriends, so narrative that they are people like us, they are our friends, so when you see your friend is getting certain privileges that you can't access that doesn't sit well with people. that and the fact that the

brand has this incredible high profile, that was what was problematic.— profile, that was what was problematic. profile, that was what was nroblematic. ., �*, ., y profile, that was what was nroblematic. ., �*, ., �*, problematic. that's fair. as you say the have problematic. that's fair. as you say they have been _ problematic. that's fair. as you say they have been such _ problematic. that's fair. as you say they have been such a _ problematic. that's fair. as you say they have been such a key - problematic. that's fair. as you say they have been such a key part i problematic. that's fair. as you say they have been such a key part to i problematic. that's fair. as you say| they have been such a key part to so many people boss michael ives, on the television every morning keeping people up—to—date, everything through covid, they have been that constant. if you feel they are almost friends, they don't have that many personal connections with the whole viewership, but then, as you say, if they are looking like they get special treatment, even though it was fine, it sits in quite an interesting way, doesn't it? it interesting way, doesn't it? it does. another caller, jo, are you a regular watcher of this morning? i regular watcher of this morning? 1 have watched less in the last few years, that's for sure. i do turn it on and probably prefer it when alison and dermot are presenting anyway. alison and dermot are presenting an a . ~ ., alison and dermot are presenting

an a .~ ., ., alison and dermot are presenting an a. ., ., ., ., , anyway. what you make of all of this with phil and — anyway. what you make of all of this with phil and holly— anyway. what you make of all of this with phil and holly and _ anyway. what you make of all of this with phil and holly and their - with phil and holly and their relationship together and how honest he has been with everyone? ifeei he has been with everyone? i feel obviously they _ he has been with everyone? i feel obviously they have _ he has been with everyone? i feel obviously they have a _ he has been with everyone? i feel obviously they have a close i obviously they have a close relationship, holly and phil, they have been working together for years. i think my concern is, in a position of power within the show, it is the concern of there being a young boy who could be seen as being groomed within the show. and i think that would be my concern. ifeel there have been cover—ups. ifeel it is an inappropriate relationship. it shouldn't have anything to do with his sexuality. that i understand is a very personal thing and it is a choice, as we don't talk about our own sexuality it shouldn't matter whether he is homosexual or if he is heterosexual. but the fact that it is a 15—year—old boy being brought into a show, i think there should be

massive questions. just into a show, i think there should be massive questions.— into a show, i think there should be massive questions. just to be clear, i think massive questions. just to be clear, i think you — massive questions. just to be clear, i think you first _ massive questions. just to be clear, i think you first had _ massive questions. just to be clear, i think you first had contact - massive questions. just to be clear, i think you first had contact with i i think you first had contact with this young man when he was 15. i'm not sure what age he was when he came to work on the show and he was very clear in his statement over the weekend that the relationship, in his words, was unwise but not illegal. unwise but not illegal. for me that illegal. unwise but not illegal. fr?" me that would purely be at such a young and impressionable age with somebody, so even starting after an age of consent. somebody, so even starting after an age of consent-— age of consent. let's speak to anotherjo _ age of consent. let's speak to anotherjo in _ age of consent. let's speak to anotherjo in chichester. i age of consent. let's speak to anotherjo in chichester. do i age of consent. let's speak to i anotherjo in chichester. do you have concerns? i’m anotherjo in chichester. do you have concerns?— anotherjo in chichester. do you have concerns? i'm bored of the whole business, _ have concerns? i'm bored of the whole business, my— have concerns? i'm bored of the whole business, my jaw- have concerns? i'm bored of the whole business, my jaw is- have concerns? i'm bored of the i whole business, my jaw is dropping whole business, myjaw is dropping ever further. whole business, myjaw is dropping everfurther. we whole business, myjaw is dropping ever further. we have whole business, myjaw is dropping everfurther. we have got whole business, myjaw is dropping ever further. we have got massive problems in this country, people are wildly exercised about on the wrong end of middle aged man, whether or not he lied to his wife. that's between him and her. whether he had

a consensual relationship with another chap with a big age group, again, that's between him and of the trap. this is not something to get really worried about. it really, really, really isn't.— really worried about. it really, really, really isn't. isn't it about honesty and _ really, really isn't. isn't it about honesty and integrity? - really, really isn't. isn't it about honesty and integrity? they i really, really isn't. isn't it about| honesty and integrity? they lost that in queue — honesty and integrity? they lost that in queue gate, _ honesty and integrity? they lost that in queue gate, they - honesty and integrity? they lost that in queue gate, they both i honesty and integrity? they lost i that in queue gate, they both lost it. little miss teflon keeps herjob and phillip schofield is expected to jump. frankly, they're both as bad as each other, get rid of them both! rid of them both. i stopped watching a long time ago. but the only people they had with any brains who sat on that sofa was eamonn holmes, and if they want to get some seriousness back and address the issues that matter as opposed to whether holly can push whatever she has on her website, then they need to get back people with some serious heft. eamonn holmes has had quite a few things to say about all of this but we will not get into that too much. element i don't know what eamonn holmes has got to say about this, he may be sitting there with a wry smile at the least. but may be sitting there with a wry smile at the least.— may be sitting there with a wry smile at the least. but the format is tired and _ smile at the least. but the format is tired and frankly _

smile at the least. but the format is tired and frankly one _ smile at the least. but the format is tired and frankly one of- smile at the least. but the format is tired and frankly one of them i smile at the least. but the format i is tired and frankly one of them had to go from the point of view of not being up to the task, the wrong person was dumped. we had a prime minister with multiple affairs, multiple children he doesn't even know and with a more than 20 year age gap, what is so different? i{finite age gap, what is so different? quite age gap, what is so different? quite a few people. _ age gap, what is so different? quite a few people. not — age gap, what is so different? quite a few people, not everyone, - age gap, what is so different? quite a few people, not everyone, had a problem with that as well. let me remind you what phillip schofield has said again on social media this morning. he said, "now i no longer work on this morning i am free to say this. i hope you have noticed it is the same handful of people they grudge against me all the show who seem to have the loudest voice. this morning is the best show to work on with the best people. in all the years i have worked there there was no toxicity. you can listen to those persistently loud voices if you like. the thousands of guests over years, thousands of staff and crew and hundreds of presenters and contributors, they all know it is a family of wonderful, talented, kind, hard—working people. let's see what

james and glasgow makes all of that. hi, james. hie james and glasgow makes all of that. hi, james. ., . james and glasgow makes all of that. hi, james. .. ., �* ~' ., hi, james. hi, rachel. i don't know if ou not hi, james. hi, rachel. i don't know if you got all— hi, james. hi, rachel. i don't know if you got all of— hi, james. hi, rachel. i don't know if you got all of that _ hi, james. hi, rachel. i don't know if you got all of that statement i i if you got all of that statement i was reading but does it shift your position at all on this? it's an interesting perspective because there are people out there saying things and have criticised the show before this came out and still criticise the show now. i think in essence the show is bigger than one man. you know, 13 years richard and judy man. you know, 13 years richard and judy presented it and everybody thought when they left that's it, it's the end of the show. this year it's the end of the show. this year it has celebrated 35 years on air, so i think there is a lot more for the show to consider. i'm disappointed with phil. i think it is a shame. when i'm not at work i watch it religiously. i've been a fan my whole life and i think a lot of people will think the same, they are disappointed. but at the end of the day the show is bigger than one person. the day the show is bigger than one nerson. ., .., , ., ., . person. you will carry on watching? absolutely i — person. you will carry on watching? absolutely i will— person. you will carry on watching? absolutely i will stop _ person. you will carry on watching? absolutely i will stop who _ person. you will carry on watching? absolutely i will stop who would i person. you will carry on watching? absolutely i will stop who would be | absolutely i will stop who would be our absolutely i will stop who would be your choice —

absolutely i will stop who would be your choice to _ absolutely i will stop who would be your choice to take _ absolutely i will stop who would be your choice to take over _ absolutely i will stop who would be your choice to take over full - absolutely i will stop who would be your choice to take over full time? | your choice to take over full time? that's a very hard one. i think if the bbc had not nabbed vernon kay he would have been my top choice. interesting. well, we got him first, so hands off!— interesting. well, we got him first, so hands off!- thank i interesting. well, we got him first, so hands off!- thank you, i so hands off! indeed. thank you, james. it so hands off! indeed. thank you, james- it has _ so hands off! indeed. thank you, james. it has been _ so hands off! indeed. thank you, james. it has been fascinating i james. it has been fascinating hearing your thoughts on that today. you can continue to send us your texts and get in touch on social media and continue the conversation there if you would like to do so. coming up in the next half hour, we are going to take a slightly different turn and we want to find out what is happening in the world of the uk's hotels. good morning, welcome to the show. 0n bank holiday monday — another one! the third bank holiday of the month. i don't know why i'm sad, it is lovely if you are not working.

and the unofficial start of the month. so a busy time for the hospitality industry, and a busy time for hotels. and it's half term for many people as well. there are nearly 10,000 hotel businesses in the uk — and 56% of us said we'll be holidaying in the uk this year. but hotels say they're struggling to find staff. vacancies are up 72% since brexit. there were 146,000 unfilled posts at the end of last year. so what's it like? really keen to hear from you if you work in the industry. if you have a quick break in your shift, it will be lovely to hear from you. if you've had a particularly good or bad stay at a hotel lately, get in touch. we're going to draw back the curtain, get under the bedsheets. i want your tales from the front desk. uk hotels: how was your stay? let's hear about the best and worst guests.

nick hatfield is back with the latest bbc news. concerns are being raised by charities about the met police's decision not to attend emergency calls related to mental health incidents, unless there is an immediate threat to life. the force says its officers need to focus on fighting crime. phillip schofield insists there is "no toxicity" at the itv programme, this morning. he claims a "handful of people with a grudge...have the loudest voice". itv cut ties with the presenter after he admitted lying to cover up an affair with a younger colleague. turkey's president erdogan has called for unity, after winning five more years in power. he beat his rival,

kemal kilicdaroglu who claims the the vote was unfair. talks on tackling plastic pollution are resuming in paris today. the aim is to sign an international treaty by the end of the year. the discussions involve government ministers from across the world, as well as industry representatives and campaigning groups. good morning — how's your bank holiday going? don't switch over, no need. if you are out and about today or on holiday we would love to hear from you because we want to peel back behind the curtains to see what's really going on in uk hotels at the moment. maybe you are enjoying a this bank holiday half term. you certainly don't need to travel abroad to soak up the sun this week — it's been glorious across the country — and if you've sorted a uk minibreak, you've lucked out this week.

no better place to enjoy the sunshine than here in the uk. and it's fabulous and rich diversity of locations to stay in. according to one survey more than half of brits are planning to take a holiday in the uk this year so it should be boom time for hotels. but we also know about the financial pressures — costs going up, energy bills, wages, food — and we're hearing that getting staff is still a major struggle. so over the next hour we want to check in, unwind and hear what life's like in uk hotels. from the holiday makers to the business travellers, to the staff making the beds and serving up drinks, we're asking — uk hotels — how was your stay? call 08085 909 693, find us on social media. 0r text 85058 — and don't forget to include your name and where you're texting from.

i still, and istill, and i'm i still, and i'm going to say this, get a real thrill from staying in hotel. we never did it when i was a child. usually these days i don't stay in hotels with my family but i very occasionally go with work and stay in a budget hotel, to make that very clear. it still gives a thrill. i like somebody else making the bed and the tea and coffee stations. we can speak to sadie shard, owner of the crescent hotel in scarborough. take me into one of your hotel rooms so i feel like i'm on holiday and tell me about your extras. it’s tell me about your extras. it's really nice. — tell me about your extras. it's really nice, we _ tell me about your extras. it's really nice, we are _ tell me about your extras. it�*s really nice, we are a lovely grade two listed georgian hotel and our rooms have lots of nice period features. all of the rooms are different as well. there are repeat guests and regulars and you could stay in a different room every time and they are all a little bit different. we have just and they are all a little bit different. we havejust been and they are all a little bit different. we have just been on a programme of upgrading lots of them

as well. yes, they are all very individual and unique rooms, very boutique. share individual and unique rooms, very boutiaue. �* ,, individual and unique rooms, very boutiaue. , _ individual and unique rooms, very boutiaue. , , ., boutique. are you busy at the moment? _ boutique. are you busy at the moment? it _ boutique. are you busy at the moment? it is _ boutique. are you busy at the moment? it is hit _ boutique. are you busy at the moment? it is hit and - boutique. are you busy at the moment? it is hit and miss. i boutique. are you busy at the i moment? it is hit and miss. we are not as busy — moment? it is hit and miss. we are not as busy as _ moment? it is hit and miss. we are not as busy as we _ moment? it is hit and miss. we are not as busy as we should _ moment? it is hit and miss. we are not as busy as we should be - moment? it is hit and miss. we are not as busy as we should be or i moment? it is hit and miss. we are not as busy as we should be or we i not as busy as we should be or we would like to be necessarily. i think people are struggling to afford the extras, holidays are a luxury and everyone is struggling with the cost of living and they are having to cut back. one of the things being cut back on is holidays. for example, we have had spare rooms yesterday which is unheard of over a may bank holiday weekend. fiend unheard of over a may bank holiday weekend. �* , ., ,., ., , weekend. and i bet scarborough is lookinu weekend. and i bet scarborough is looking beautiful— weekend. and i bet scarborough is looking beautiful in _ weekend. and i bet scarborough is looking beautiful in the _ weekend. and i bet scarborough is looking beautiful in the sunshine. l looking beautiful in the sunshine. it's gorgeous. when you go abroad

somewhere and you see photographs of people out and about on holiday, it looks almost mediterranean. idinfhat people out and about on holiday, it looks almost mediterranean. what are the challenges — looks almost mediterranean. what are the challenges you _ looks almost mediterranean. what are the challenges you are _ looks almost mediterranean. what are the challenges you are facing, - looks almost mediterranean. what are the challenges you are facing, apart i the challenges you are facing, apart from people generally having tighter budgets so they may be getting away. maybe they book one foreign holiday a year but that's it and they can't afford any other mini break. that plays into it but what are the other challenges you face at the moment? there's always lots of challenges. there's always lots of challenges. the biggest one for us is inflation and the costs rising for us. energy costs are the major one but that's obviously having an impact on all the other businesses. for example, the other businesses. for example, the price of sending laundry to be cleaned, the services has gone up because they energy price has gone up. all the food prices are going through the roof as well. 0nline

booking companies are putting up their commission rates. the price of everything across the board has gone up. we can't put prices up too much. we know people don't have a spare income to come on holiday so if we put prices up too much it will put people off coming away so it's getting that balance right. you can't nut getting that balance right. you can't put prices _ getting that balance right. you can't put prices up _ getting that balance right. you can't put prices up too much but are there any other ways to save money, maybe not the full packet of biscuits orjust one less sausage at breakfast? biscuits or 'ust one less sausage at breakfast? ., , ., ~ ., breakfast? people would know if the breakfast? people would know if the breakfast portions _ breakfast? people would know if the breakfast portions weren't _ breakfast? people would know if the breakfast portions weren't good. i breakfast? people would know if the breakfast portions weren't good. we try to do things like if it is quiet we will close certain flaws and sections of the hotel and rooms to conserve energy costs, turn off the heating on the lights in those areas. we have tried to look at ways, geico ways of managing energy

costs. we are looking at systems so guests can't leave tvs and lights on when they leave the room, key card sent things. all sorts of little things but it is a challenge. we are hoping for some warm weather now. absolutely, and this week and next week looks pretty good so if you can make the most of that i'm sure it will help you out. can't guarantee the weather in the uk but there are all sorts of reasons why staying in this country is a sensible option, not least climate change and the impact of flying abroad but you often compete with package deals which can be cheaper for often compete with package deals which can be cheaperfor a often compete with package deals which can be cheaper for a week away on a hot country than a week here in the uk. , .., , on a hot country than a week here in theuk. _ , i, on a hot country than a week here in theuk. , y,. on a hot country than a week here in theuk. , i“ , ., the uk. they can be, yes. we see a lot of that — the uk. they can be, yes. we see a lot of that getting _ the uk. they can be, yes. we see a lot of that getting advertised i the uk. they can be, yes. we see a lot of that getting advertised and i i lot of that getting advertised and i think people are desperate for holiday—makers to return abroad after covid as well. they are coming up after covid as well. they are coming up with some really good offers and

it's very hard to compete with that. how are you planning for the summer and how does it look over the next few months for you? it’s and how does it look over the next few months for you?— and how does it look over the next few months for you? it's not looking too... well, — few months for you? it's not looking too... well, it's — few months for you? it's not looking too... well, it's hit _ few months for you? it's not looking too... well, it's hit and _ few months for you? it's not looking too... well, it's hit and miss. i too... well, it's hit and miss. there are some really good events in scarborough, there is the open air theatre, festivals happening, music acts coming. a lot of things are drawing people to the area. it's making sure people stay over and have a nice break and choose us hopefully. we are putting on some promotions and special offers so hopefully people will see your site want to come and stay. idnfe hopefully people will see your site want to come and stay.— hopefully people will see your site want to come and stay. we would love to hear from — want to come and stay. we would love to hear from people _ want to come and stay. we would love to hear from people who _ want to come and stay. we would love to hear from people who work- want to come and stay. we would love to hear from people who work in i to hear from people who work in hotels this morning, or recently worked in a hotel if you have done it previously in your life and you want to speak to us about it, please do. 08085 909 693. on that subject, in terms of attracting staff, how much of a challenge is that for you at the minute? idnfe much of a challenge is that for you at the minute?— much of a challenge is that for you at the minute? we have been quite lucky because _ at the minute? we have been quite lucky because we —

at the minute? we have been quite lucky because we don't _ at the minute? we have been quite lucky because we don't have i at the minute? we have been quite lucky because we don't have a i at the minute? we have been quite lucky because we don't have a very| lucky because we don't have a very high staff turnover. we are like a big family and we have had some really long serving members of staff which is nice, but i had to put a job advert out in the last couple of days and everyone is recruiting so it's really hard to be the one that stands out and people want to apply for and go and work there. idinfhat stands out and people want to apply for and go and work there.— for and go and work there. what do ou do to for and go and work there. what do you do to be _ for and go and work there. what do you do to be the — for and go and work there. what do you do to be the one _ for and go and work there. what do you do to be the one that _ for and go and work there. what do you do to be the one that stands i for and go and work there. what do | you do to be the one that stands out other than putting up wages? and i believe wages are growing quite quickly in the hospitality sector because of the competition. yeah, the reall because of the competition. yeah, they really are- — because of the competition. yeah, they really are. if _ because of the competition. yeah, they really are. if you _ because of the competition. yeah, they really are. if you want - because of the competition. yeah, i they really are. if you want someone good then you have to pay more for them. we try and be ourselves. we are unique, small. we really look after people. that's the aim. we just try and advertise ourselves how we are. j just try and advertise ourselves how we are. ., , just try and advertise ourselves how we are. .,, ,, just try and advertise ourselves how we are. .,, i. ., , we are. i hope you get a little bit of a break _ we are. i hope you get a little bit of a break at _ we are. i hope you get a little bit of a break at some _

we are. i hope you get a little bit of a break at some stage - we are. i hope you get a little bit of a break at some stage over. we are. i hope you get a little bit| of a break at some stage over the bank holiday and through half term. we can hearfrom a bank holiday and through half term. we can hear from a couple of people who have an interest. hello, sue. you recently had a lovely stay in york. j you recently had a lovely stay in york. . . you recently had a lovely stay in york. ., ., ., , you recently had a lovely stay in york. ., ., ., you recently had a lovely stay in york-_ telli you recently had a lovely stay in i york-_ tell us york. i had a fabulous stay. tell us about it. york. i had a fabulous stay. tell us about it- i— york. i had a fabulous stay. tell us about it. i live _ york. i had a fabulous stay. tell us about it. i live alone _ york. i had a fabulous stay. tell us about it. i live alone and _ york. i had a fabulous stay. tell us about it. i live alone and don't i about it. i live alone and don't drive so i _ about it. i live alone and don't drive so i go _ about it. i live alone and don't drive so i go on _ about it. i live alone and don't drive so i go on coach - about it. i live alone and don'tl drive so i go on coach holidays. about it. i live alone and don't i drive so i go on coach holidays. i went— drive so i go on coach holidays. i went to — drive so i go on coach holidays. i went to the _ drive so i go on coach holidays. i went to the queens hotel in york in january— went to the queens hotel in york in january which is right on the river 0use~ _ january which is right on the river 0use~ the — january which is right on the river 0use. the hotel was absolutely pristine — 0use. the hotel was absolutely pristine. they gave me a ground floor— pristine. they gave me a ground floor room _ pristine. they gave me a ground floor room. the staff couldn't do enough — floor room. the staff couldn't do enough for— floor room. the staff couldn't do enough for you. i have never known such— enough for you. i have never known such cheerful, helpful fantastic stuff _ such cheerful, helpful fantastic stuff. . �* , such cheerful, helpful fantastic stuff. . v . such cheerful, helpful fantastic stuff. ., �*, ., ., ., stuff. that's a wonderful thing to hean stuff. that's a wonderful thing to hear. do stuff. that's a wonderful thing to hear- do you _ stuff. that's a wonderful thing to hear. do you think— stuff. that's a wonderful thing to hear. do you think they - stuff. that's a wonderful thing to hear. do you think they are i stuff. that's a wonderful thing to | hear. do you think they are aware they have to make an effort and

fight for customers to stay in this country? i fight for customers to stay in this count ? ., �* ~' fight for customers to stay in this count ? ., �* ,, ,., ~ country? i don't think so. i think this hotel _ country? i don't think so. i think this hotel is _ country? i don't think so. i think this hotel isjust _ country? i don't think so. i think this hotel isjust run _ country? i don't think so. i think this hotel isjust run very, i country? i don't think so. i think this hotel isjust run very, very l this hotel isjust run very, very welt _ this hotel isjust run very, very well. everybody i spoke to say it's a fantastic — well. everybody i spoke to say it's a fantastic hotel, people go back time _ a fantastic hotel, people go back time and — a fantastic hotel, people go back time and time again. i have booked to go— time and time again. i have booked to go back— time and time again. i have booked to go back at the end ofjuly and in november— to go back at the end ofjuly and in november and to go back at the end ofjuly and in novemberand i can't to go back at the end ofjuly and in november and i can't wait.- november and i can't wait. clearly if ou can november and i can't wait. clearly if you can build — november and i can't wait. clearly if you can build a _ november and i can't wait. clearly if you can build a relationship - november and i can't wait. clearly if you can build a relationship withi if you can build a relationship with returning customers that is absolutely key to surviving in this industry. absolutely key to surviving in this indust . , , absolutely key to surviving in this industry-_ can - absolutely key to surviving in this industry._ can you - absolutely key to surviving in this industry._ can you give | industry. definitely. can you give an idea, industry. definitely. can you give an idea. the _ industry. definitely. can you give an idea, the staff _ industry. definitely. can you give an idea, the staff were _ industry. definitely. can you give an idea, the staff were lovely - industry. definitely. can you give| an idea, the staff were lovely and that makes a difference, but were there other little touches that caught your eye and made you feel like you were being particularly well looked after? i like you were being particularly well looked after?— like you were being particularly well looked after? i 'ust felt like i had gone * well looked after? i 'ust felt like i had gone home. _ well looked after? i 'ust felt like i had gone home. i — well looked after? ijust felt like i had gone home. i walked - well looked after? ijust felt like i had gone home. i walked into| well looked after? i just felt like i i had gone home. i walked into the i had gone home. iwalked into the hotel— i had gone home. iwalked into the hotel off— i had gone home. iwalked into the hotel off the coach and a young guy came _ hotel off the coach and a young guy came towards me and said, are you

sue, _ came towards me and said, are you sue. and _ came towards me and said, are you sue. and he — came towards me and said, are you sue, and he said, yes, come with me, we have _ sue, and he said, yes, come with me, we have a _ sue, and he said, yes, come with me, we have a ground floor room. i smoke, — we have a ground floor room. i smoke, and _ we have a ground floor room. i smoke, and whenever i went outside to have _ smoke, and whenever i went outside to have a _ smoke, and whenever i went outside to have a cigarette, whoever was on reception _ to have a cigarette, whoever was on reception would ask if i needed anything — reception would ask if i needed anything. the room was cleaned every day. anything. the room was cleaned every day the _ anything. the room was cleaned every day the tea _ anything. the room was cleaned every day. the tea and sugar was topped up every— day. the tea and sugar was topped up every day _ day. the tea and sugar was topped up every day i_ day. the tea and sugar was topped up every day. ijust didn't want to come — every day. ijust didn't want to come home. every day. i 'ust didn't want to come home.— every day. i just didn't want to come home. �* ., , , ., , ., come home. a lovely story. i love startin: come home. a lovely story. i love starting with _ come home. a lovely story. i love starting with a _ come home. a lovely story. i love starting with a positive _ come home. a lovely story. i love starting with a positive story. - starting with a positive story. thank you to sue for bringing that to us. what's the name of the hotel so we can give them a shout out? it's called the queens hotel and its i’ilht it's called the queens hotel and its right on— it's called the queens hotel and its right on the river 0use. at one point _ right on the river 0use. at one point they— right on the river 0use. at one point they were visiting right up to the door~ — point they were visiting right up to the door. ., �* , point they were visiting right up to the door. . �* , . ., ., the door. that's the challenge for --eole. .. the door. that's the challenge for peeple- -- the _ the door. that's the challenge for people... the last _ the door. that's the challenge for people... the last time _ the door. that's the challenge for people... the last time i - the door. that's the challenge for people... the last time i was - the door. that's the challenge for. people... the last time i was there when the floods had badly affected the city centre. but hopefully for the city centre. but hopefully for the moment that issue is not a major one for hoteliers in york. thank you

to sue having a wonderful experience. that's the kind of story our next coil likes to hear. gary curley is the manager of a hotel. tell us about your hotel. where are you? tell us about your hotel. where are ou? ~ ., , , tell us about your hotel. where are ou? . . , , . you? we are pretty much right in the centre of skye- _ you? we are pretty much right in the centre of skye. the _ you? we are pretty much right in the centre of skye. the hotel _ you? we are pretty much right in the centre of skye. the hotel has - you? we are pretty much right in the centre of skye. the hotel has been i centre of skye. the hotel has been my wife's family for a number of years. my wife's family for a number of ears. . . my wife's family for a number of ears. , ., my wife's family for a number of years. macaulay rooms do you have? 22. a years. macaulay rooms do you have? 22- a decent — years. macaulay rooms do you have? 22. a decent size, _ years. macaulay rooms do you have? 22. a decent size, enough _ years. macaulay rooms do you have? 22. a decent size, enough to - years. macaulay rooms do you have? 22. a decent size, enough to keep i 22. a decent size, enough to keep ou bus . 22. a decent size, enough to keep you busy- for— 22. a decent size, enough to keep you busy. for sure. _ 22. a decent size, enough to keep you busy. for sure. and _ 22. a decent size, enough to keep you busy. for sure. and we - 22. a decent size, enough to keep you busy. for sure. and we have l 22. a decent size, enough to keepj you busy. for sure. and we have a hue bar you busy. for sure. and we have a huge bar adjoined _ you busy. for sure. and we have a huge bar adjoined to _ you busy. for sure. and we have a huge bar adjoined to the _ you busy. for sure. and we have a huge bar adjoined to the hotel - you busy. for sure. and we have a huge bar adjoined to the hotel as. huge bar adjoined to the hotel as well which is obviously extremely

busy at this time of year with lots of tourists. busy at this time of year with lots of tourists-_ of tourists. lots of day-trippers. exactl . of tourists. lots of day-trippers. exactly- peeple _ of tourists. lots of day-trippers. exactly. people listening - of tourists. lots of day-trippers. exactly. people listening now. of tourists. lots of day-trippers. | exactly. people listening now will definitely know _ exactly. people listening now will definitely know your _ exactly. people listening now will definitely know your bar. - exactly. people listening now will definitely know your bar. what'sl exactly. people listening now will| definitely know your bar. what's it like for you at the moment and the challenges facing your business? the -e of challenges facing your business? the: type of challenges we challenges facing your business? “tt9: type of challenges we are challenges facing your business? tt9: type of challenges we are facing challenges facing your business? “tt9 type of challenges we are facing are probably the same across the country. everybody here is working incredibly hard. the main challenge i would say at the moment that you are seeing, particularly in rural areas but also in urban areas, is the inability to get enough staff. across the uk there are 100 and 32,000 job vacancies in the hospitality industry. you have a small pool to recruit from and with brexit there has been no thing put in place to make up for the loss of

staff. where do you usually draw your staff from and what's been the issue with recruitment in the last couple of years? we recruit from the local area but it has a small population in the skies so we now recruit from all across the uk which we have managed to do fairly successfully. however, what happens thenis successfully. however, what happens then is you start to run out of space for staff accommodation so one challenge creates another challenge. the further afield you go. let's bring injames in falkirk into the discussion. james, meet gary. james, you have a long experience of being a chef, it was that in a hotel? in a chef, it was that in a hotel? in various hotels across mostly scotland _ various hotels across mostly scotland but i did do some work in

england _ scotland but i did do some work in england and i did some work in belgium — england and i did some work in belgium for the company i worked for. belgium for the company i worked for~ i_ belgium for the company i worked for~ iwas— belgium for the company i worked for~ iwas a — belgium for the company i worked for. i was a chef for 50 years. i think— for. i was a chef for 50 years. i think some _ for. i was a chef for 50 years. i think some of the issues about trying — think some of the issues about trying to— think some of the issues about trying to get staff, and i was listening _ trying to get staff, and i was listening to your previous caller, and many— listening to your previous caller, and many of the things he said are exactly— and many of the things he said are exactly what we found 20 or 30 years a lo. exactly what we found 20 or 30 years age the _ exactly what we found 20 or 30 years ago. the reality is, although being ago. the reality is, although being a chef— ago. the reality is, although being a chef is— ago. the reality is, although being a chef is a — ago. the reality is, although being a chef is a greatjob, really highly interesting, every day can be different, but the problem is the conditions of the job, on hours, young _ conditions of the job, on hours, young people don't really want to do that any— young people don't really want to do that any more. it's difficult to get people _ that any more. it's difficult to get peorue to — that any more. it's difficult to get people to say, you're going to work at weekends, you will work at christmas _ at weekends, you will work at christmas and holidays. you won't atways _ christmas and holidays. you won't always get — christmas and holidays. you won't always get your own holidays when you ask _ always get your own holidays when you ask for — always get your own holidays when you ask for them. and that's a big issue _ you ask for them. and that's a big issue i_ you ask for them. and that's a big issue. i spent 50 years as a chef and i_ issue. i spent 50 years as a chef and i loved _ issue. i spent 50 years as a chef and i loved the job but it did have its downsides. in as quite often i

couldn't— its downsides. in as quite often i couldn't attend parent teacher things— couldn't attend parent teacher things in— couldn't attend parent teacher things in school for my kids. i look back— things in school for my kids. i look back now— things in school for my kids. i look back now and i regret that. at the same _ back now and i regret that. at the same time — back now and i regret that. at the same time i— back now and i regret that. at the same time i was fortunate within the industry— same time i was fortunate within the industry to— same time i was fortunate within the industry to become a head chef and a group _ industry to become a head chef and a group executive chef looking after numerous — group executive chef looking after numerous hotels and that was really interesting. find numerous hotels and that was really interestinu. : :, numerous hotels and that was really interestinu. : ., , :, interesting. and did that give you flexibili , interesting. and did that give you flexibility. i— interesting. and did that give you flexibility, i guess. _ interesting. and did that give you flexibility, i guess. gary, - interesting. and did that give you flexibility, i guess. gary, you - interesting. and did that give you | flexibility, i guess. gary, you have heard james, so does that still reflects the hotel industry these days? i reflects the hotel industry these da s? :, :, , , days? i would say the hotel industry has kind of changed _ days? i would say the hotel industry has kind of changed with _ days? i would say the hotel industry has kind of changed with the - days? i would say the hotel industry has kind of changed with the times, | has kind of changed with the times, really. i think the one positive to come out of this is the fact that working conditions and wages, if you take skye as an example, i would say they have never been better and those looking to work in hospitality and tourism will find fantastic opportunities here with better wages, conditions and benefits than maybe even you would find in some urban areas as well. i think the

industry has changed quite a bit. the staff that work here are all on different types of contracts and they like to offer flexibility on things like that. we do a lot of that has well and you will find most of the businesses on skye will do the same. i5 of the businesses on skye will do the same. , :, ' : the same. is that the difference between working _ the same. is that the difference between working for _ the same. is that the difference between working for an - the same. is that the difference - between working for an independent business like yours and then working for one of the big chains?— for one of the big chains? possibly, es. i for one of the big chains? possibly, yes- i don't — for one of the big chains? possibly, yes. i don't work _ for one of the big chains? possibly, yes. i don't work for _ for one of the big chains? possibly, yes. i don't work for a _ for one of the big chains? possibly, yes. i don't work for a big _ for one of the big chains? possibly, yes. i don't work for a big change . yes. i don't work for a big change so i can't add to that.— yes. i don't work for a big change so i can't add to that. james, what do ou so i can't add to that. james, what do you think _ so i can't add to that. james, what do you think about _ so i can't add to that. james, what do you think about that? - so i can't add to that. james, what do you think about that? do - so i can't add to that. james, what do you think about that? do you i do you think about that? do you think there is perhaps less flexibility when you get involved with one of the big corporations? i wouldn't necessarily say it was. i think big corporations now are becoming more aware of the fact that you need to give better conditions if you want to entice young people in and we need to entice people in. early in my career, probably 25, 30 years ago, it was unheard of to have

any young women in the kitchen. i worked at the caledonian hotel in edinburgh, a large a—star worked at the caledonian hotel in edinburgh, a large 4—star hotel with three kitchen's, 35 chefs, and 25, 30 years ago, we had six young women in the kitchen then and that was unheard of back then. and i have to say it was an untapped way of getting staff. a lot of older chefs were very much against bringing young women in. but nowadays it is more likely that you see young women coming into the kitchen. i was always keen to interview any young women that want to jobs because there was no difference between the men and the women. i mean, they could do thejob men and the women. i mean, they could do the job every bit as good and better. there wasn't this distinction of, it's a young woman so she won't be able to do this or that. ifound them so she won't be able to do this or that. i found them to be every bit as capable.

that. i found them to be every bit as capable-— as capable. and as you say, that kind of attitude _ as capable. and as you say, that kind of attitude will— as capable. and as you say, that kind of attitude will have - as capable. and as you say, that| kind of attitude will have changed hugely in the last couple of decades. do we meet the kind of high gold standards in this country? you think of hotels and you immediately think of hotels and you immediately think of, even though it's years old, the seaside faulty towers image of british hoteliers. i'm assuming we have moved a long way from that because you just wouldn't get away with that any more, but what's your experience, james, do you think across the board hotels maintain high standards for their guests? i think generally speaking hotels maintain very high standards for guests— maintain very high standards for guests and work very hard. the issue i guests and work very hard. the issue i have _ guests and work very hard. the issue i have as _ guests and work very hard. the issue i have as an— guests and work very hard. the issue i have as an older type of chef is that when— i have as an older type of chef is that when i_ i have as an older type of chef is that when i started out you had a five year — that when i started out you had a five year apprenticeship in the kitchen — five year apprenticeship in the kitchen and you would train in every department. the kitchen i did my training _ department. the kitchen i did my training in— department. the kitchen i did my training in had 50 chefs. they have

their— training in had 50 chefs. they have their own _ training in had 50 chefs. they have their own bakery, pastry, butchers shop. _ their own bakery, pastry, butchers shop, larder, fish, sauce, roast, veg. _ shop, larder, fish, sauce, roast, veg. att— shop, larder, fish, sauce, roast, veg, all these different corners, so every— veg, all these different corners, so every hit _ veg, all these different corners, so every hit of— veg, all these different corners, so every bit of your training cater to all these — every bit of your training cater to all these aspects. i would guess now that in— all these aspects. i would guess now that in large hotels, unless you are at the _ that in large hotels, unless you are at the very— that in large hotels, unless you are at the very top end, you will find that probably none of the young chefs _ that probably none of the young chefs will know how to butcher meat, fillet chefs will know how to butcher meat, fittet fish _ chefs will know how to butcher meat, fillet fish and prep it. you are likety— fillet fish and prep it. you are likely to — fillet fish and prep it. you are likely to get it in the top end, but in smaller— likely to get it in the top end, but in smaller individual hotels, like the chef— in smaller individual hotels, like the chef in— in smaller individual hotels, like the chef in skye where they want to maintain _ the chef in skye where they want to maintain those standards but generally speaking i would say across — generally speaking i would say across the piece, very few young chefs, _ across the piece, very few young chefs, and — across the piece, very few young chefs, and notjust young chefs, coming — chefs, and notjust young chefs, coming up — chefs, and notjust young chefs, coming up to the fairly high level of sous, — coming up to the fairly high level of sous, a — coming up to the fairly high level of sous, a fairly high number will not know— of sous, a fairly high number will not know how to butcher meat any more _ not know how to butcher meat any more which — not know how to butcher meat any more which was part of my basic

training — more which was part of my basic trainina. ~ :, ., , more which was part of my basic trainina. ~ :, . , ., more which was part of my basic trainina. ~ :, ., , ., , training. would that be fair, gary, the kind of— training. would that be fair, gary, the kind of skills _ training. would that be fair, gary, the kind of skills required - training. would that be fair, gary, the kind of skills required have . the kind of skills required have changed in the last couple of decades? i changed in the last couple of decades? :, �* . , changed in the last couple of decades? :, �* . i- decades? i wouldn't necessarily say that. back decades? i wouldn't necessarily say that- back to _ decades? i wouldn't necessarily say that. back to your _ decades? i wouldn't necessarily say that. back to your original - that. back to your original reference to faulty towers cliches, i would say that in most hotels, bars and restaurants you go into, the people you meet there and work there are some of the hardest working people you will ever meet. i can certainly say that for our staff. the level of commitment to customer service and making people happy and knowing it is a privilege to do that is certainly what we build our brand on. it's all about proper highland hospitality. scotland is known as one of the friendliest countries in the world thankfully and we want to perpetuate that some people come here. i would

be lovina that some people come here. i would be loving sitting _ that some people come here. i would be loving sitting in _ that some people come here. i would be loving sitting in your— that some people come here. i would be loving sitting in your bar _ that some people come here. i would be loving sitting in your bar right - be loving sitting in your bar right now, or even on a bench outside. have a wonderful bank holiday weekend and thank you for your time. thank you to james in falkirk, a chef for 50 years. let's get some of your texts on this. john says, it annoys me so much when shows call a holiday in the uk staycation. it is a holiday and it is so rude to those who can't afford a holiday abroad. another viewer, who can't afford a holiday abroad. anotherviewer, i ran who can't afford a holiday abroad. another viewer, i ran the edinburgh marathon yesterday, then travelled down to york, i'm staying on a budget hotel but it feels like buckingham palace having a bed made for you and breakfast cooked in the morning to stop it makes the aching legs bearable. that's from harrison in leeds. and this one, after so many years of travel, i only need my birds, bees, flowers and butterflies. they decently stocked fridge, a good book and no travel

hassle. that's from yorkshire. i love somebody making a bed for me and leaving me out a small packet of biscuits. i think we have keith and james now. keith in plymouth, hello. good morning. find james now. keith in plymouth, hello. good morning-— good morning. and james is in widnes. good _ good morning. and james is in widnes. good morning. - good morning. and james is in widnes. good morning. you i good morning. and james is in l widnes. good morning. you love good morning. and james is in i widnes. good morning. you love a good morning. and james is in - widnes. good morning. you love a bit of hotel action. _ widnes. good morning. you love a bit of hotel action, james. _ widnes. good morning. you love a bit of hotel action, james. not _ widnes. good morning. you love a bit of hotel action, james. not sure i widnes. good morning. you love a bit of hotel action, james. not sure howl of hotel action, james. not sure how to answer that. _ of hotel action, james. not sure how to answer that, to _ of hotel action, james. not sure how to answer that, to be _ of hotel action, james. not sure how to answer that, to be honest. - of hotel action, james. not sure how to answer that, to be honest. i- to answer that, to be honest. don't know to answer that, to be honest. i don't know what i was asking there. laughter my wife is listening to this. she's not too _ my wife is listening to this. she's not too keen on that sort of question _ not too keen on that sort of question. | not too keen on that sort of question-— not too keen on that sort of cuestion. ,, , :, ,, :, �* question. i think you know where i'm anoin. do question. i think you know where i'm going- do you _ question. i think you know where i'm going- do you like — question. i think you know where i'm going. do you like a _ question. i think you know where i'm going. do you like a hotel— question. i think you know where i'm going. do you like a hotel stay, i going. do you like a hotel stay, let's put it like that. i do going. do you like a hotel stay, let's put it like that.— going. do you like a hotel stay, let's put it like that. i do en'oy a hotel stay. i let's put it like that. i do en'oy a hotet stay. ti let's put it like that. i do en'oy a hotel stay, if it i let's put it like that. i do en'oy a hotel stay, if it is i let's put it like that. i do en'oy a hotel stay, if it is relaxing i let's put it like that. i do enjoy a hotel stay, if it is relaxing and i | hotel stay, if it is relaxing and i don't _ hotel stay, if it is relaxing and i don't get — hotel stay, if it is relaxing and i don't get too stressed.- hotel stay, if it is relaxing and i don't get too stressed. what makes it stressful? — don't get too stressed. what makes it stressful? i _ don't get too stressed. what makes it stressful? i was _ don't get too stressed. what makes it stressful? i was attending - don't get too stressed. what makes it stressful? i was attending a i it stressful? i was attending a conference — it stressful? i was attending a conference last _ it stressful? i was attending a conference last week - it stressful? i was attending a conference last week in i it stressful? i was attending aj conference last week in leeds it stressful? i was attending a i conference last week in leeds and staying _ conference last week in leeds and staying at— conference last week in leeds and staying at a relatively good quality hotel~ _ staying at a relatively good quality hotel~ i_ staying at a relatively good quality hotel. i had been at the conference most _ hotel. i had been at the conference most of— hotel. i had been at the conference most of the — hotel. i had been at the conference most of the day and at four o'clock in the _

most of the day and at four o'clock in the afternoon i thought i would have _ in the afternoon i thought i would have to _ in the afternoon i thought i would have to check in before everyone else _ have to check in before everyone else i_ have to check in before everyone else. i turned up at the hotel, a bil else. i turned up at the hotel, a lrig gueue, _ else. i turned up at the hotel, a big queue, and quite a few existing residents— big queue, and quite a few existing residents were in the queue asking for key— residents were in the queue asking for key cards to be reprogrammed. the lady— for key cards to be reprogrammed. the lady next to me had said it had happened _ the lady next to me had said it had happened three or four times. i get to the _ happened three or four times. i get to the front — happened three or four times. i get to the front of the queue and get my card and _ to the front of the queue and get my card and i_ to the front of the queue and get my card and i am on the tenth floor in the hotel— card and i am on the tenth floor in the hotel which is very busy. i can't — the hotel which is very busy. i can't get _ the hotel which is very busy. i can't get into the hotel room on the tenth— can't get into the hotel room on the tenth floor— can't get into the hotel room on the tenth floor so i'm thinking, no, this is— tenth floor so i'm thinking, no, this is going to be back and forward between _ this is going to be back and forward between the tenth floor. i go back to reception and explain after queueing up for another ten minutes. back up— queueing up for another ten minutes. back up to _ queueing up for another ten minutes. back up to the room, it still wouldn't _ back up to the room, it still wouldn't work. then i tried to come down _ wouldn't work. then i tried to come down a _ wouldn't work. then i tried to come down a third — wouldn't work. then i tried to come down a third time because of the lifts were — down a third time because of the lifts were busy so i ended up walking _ lifts were busy so i ended up walking down ten flights of stairs to go— walking down ten flights of stairs to go back up again and it still didn't— to go back up again and it still didn't work. by this time i was fuming — didn't work. by this time i was fuming i_ didn't work. by this time i was fuming. i worked didn't work. by this time i was fuming. iworked my didn't work. by this time i was fuming. i worked my way back down to reception, _ fuming. i worked my way back down to reception, got it done again. asked

if it was— reception, got it done again. asked if it was definitely done this time. headed _ if it was definitely done this time. headed back up to the tenth floor and i_ headed back up to the tenth floor and i realised i was in the wrong room _ and i realised i was in the wrong room i— and i realised i was in the wrong room. i walked along the corridor three _ room. i walked along the corridor three doors— room. i walked along the corridor three doors down and walked straight in. three doors down and walked straight in, :, :, three doors down and walked straight in. :, :, , :, in. the right floor but the wrong room? yeah- — in. the right floor but the wrong room? yeah. i— in. the right floor but the wrong room? yeah. i felt— in. the right floor but the wrong room? yeah. i felt terrible. i in. the right floor but the wrong room? yeah. ifelt terrible. i. in. the right floor but the wrong i room? yeah. ifelt terrible. i made a toint of room? yeah. ifelt terrible. i made a point of apologising _ room? yeah. ifelt terrible. i made a point of apologising to _ room? yeah. ifelt terrible. i made a point of apologising to the i a point of apologising to the receptionist. but a point of apologising to the receptionist.— a point of apologising to the rece ttionist. �* ,, :, ., receptionist. but think of all the ste ts ou receptionist. but think of all the steps you got — receptionist. but think of all the steps you got in- _ receptionist. but think of all the steps you got in. that's - receptionist. but think of all the steps you got in. that's true, i receptionist. but think of all the l steps you got in. that's true, and receptionist. but think of all the i steps you got in. that's true, and i need them. _ steps you got in. that's true, and i need them, definitely. _ steps you got in. that's true, and i need them, definitely. but - steps you got in. that's true, and i need them, definitely. but it i steps you got in. that's true, and i j need them, definitely. but it won't exactly temper _ need them, definitely. but it won't exactly temper the _ need them, definitely. but it won't exactly temper the stress - need them, definitely. but it won't exactly temper the stress after i need them, definitely. but it won't exactly temper the stress after a i exactly temper the stress after a long day at work. i have to say, there is nothing more annoying than there is nothing more annoying than the key card deprogramming and having to retrace your footsteps. i was with you up and down the steps. it was self inflicted. it was with you up and down the steps. it was self inflicted.— it was self inflicted. it was user error. that's _ it was self inflicted. it was user error. that's a _ it was self inflicted. it was user error. that's a relief. _ it was self inflicted. it was user error. that's a relief. thank- it was self inflicted. it was user. error. that's a relief. thank you, james. keith in plymouth, have you stayed in a hotel recently? taste james. keith in plymouth, have you stayed in a hotel recently?- stayed in a hotel recently? we are ve luc stayed in a hotel recently? we are very lucky because _ stayed in a hotel recently? we are very lucky because we _ stayed in a hotel recently? we are very lucky because we live - stayed in a hotel recently? we are very lucky because we live in i very lucky because we live in plymouth and we have the beaches on

our doorsteps. but we like to go down to cornwall and we particularly like newquay. we tend to go to the same hotel and a couple of times a year. we went in february and the cost was, i don't know, probably around £300. i had tried to book a short break in mid—july because both my wife and myself are retiring. i thought we could go for a short break and for two nights they wanted £685. for me, i question why some of these hotels are saying they are having difficulty in getting people to come along. i appreciate costs have soared, that is true, but i went to a local travel agent and we can get a villa in greece for

probably 400, £500 and by the time we put the flights on, probably 1000. i could go to the greek islands for the same cost as i can go to newquay. it's a no—brainer, really. go to newquay. it's a no-brainer, reall . :, , go to newquay. it's a no-brainer, reall . . , , really. that is the problem. it sounds like _ really. that is the problem. it sounds like a _ really. that is the problem. it sounds like a huge _ really. that is the problem. it sounds like a huge amount i really. that is the problem. it sounds like a huge amount ofj really. that is the problem. it - sounds like a huge amount of money for a couple of nights. what do you get for that? i presume it is quite a swanky hotel. it is get for that? i presume it is quite a swanky hotel.— a swanky hotel. it is very nice, it trul is. a swanky hotel. it is very nice, it truly is- it's _ a swanky hotel. it is very nice, it truly is. it's on _ a swanky hotel. it is very nice, it truly is. it's on the _ a swanky hotel. it is very nice, it truly is. it's on the beach, i a swanky hotel. it is very nice, it truly is. it's on the beach, a i truly is. it's on the beach, a wonderful hotel and we have stayed there many times. but for £685 for bed and breakfast. the last time we went it was quiet but i would imagine it will be even quieter. they need to think about what they are charging and providing because it's putting people like me off, and i know i'm not the only one. my friends are saying the same thing. they are thinking about what else to do instead because theyjust can't afford those prices.

but i wouldn't say that? ! it sheds cost —— microlight on the costs people are facing. we can now speak to iris. you travel on your own, do you? i haven't been travelling anywhere but i am on my own when i do travel because i lost my husband a few years ago. but do travel because i lost my husband a few years ago-— a few years ago. but my problem is from being — a few years ago. but my problem is from being in _ a few years ago. but my problem is from being in a _ a few years ago. but my problem is from being in a room _ a few years ago. but my problem is from being in a room on _ a few years ago. but my problem is from being in a room on your- a few years ago. but my problem is from being in a room on your own i from being in a room on your own where you live, do you want to meet friends? which you do, and ifind people are lovely, they all speak to you if you are on your own on holiday but my problem is getting harder because after the covid epidemic obviously prices have to go up, and i understand how these poor hoteliers are but i'm 84 next month and i need a break before it gets

any worse, illness etc, different things. the costs of the hotels for a five—day i have to go on a more reasonable as a general rule but they have shot up quite a bit. it is not that, it's the supplement. even on the cruise lines, everything i've been on before, the supplements have started to get too high. the been on before, the supplements have started to get too high.— started to get too high. the single supplements? _ started to get too high. the single supplements? yes. _ started to get too high. the single supplements? yes. i— started to get too high. the single supplements? yes. i have - started to get too high. the single supplements? yes. i have been i started to get too high. the single i supplements? yes. i have been lucky enouth on supplements? yes. i have been lucky enough on a — supplements? yes. i have been lucky enough on a cruise _ supplements? yes. i have been lucky enough on a cruise ship _ supplements? yes. i have been lucky enough on a cruise ship in _ supplements? yes. i have been lucky enough on a cruise ship in the - supplements? yes. i have been lucky enough on a cruise ship in the past, l enough on a cruise ship in the past, for years, five years ago when things were normal, i managed to get a bargain room that had to have —— didn't have to have a single supplement because there was a sale but now people are coming back to britain it is not so easy to get a room without a supplement on it. they range from £30 up to 60, 80, some of them are 120, 150 on top. it

does seem like an unfair penalty on people who are travelling alone. it has priced me really out of the market. i has priced me really out of the market. :, :, ., , ., ,, has priced me really out of the market. :, :, ., , , market. i would love a break because i thinki market. i would love a break because i think i need — market. i would love a break because i think i need one _ market. i would love a break because i think i need one after _ market. i would love a break because i think i need one after four _ market. i would love a break because i think i need one after four years. i i think i need one after four years. if anyone wants to give iris a break and not over charge on the single supplements let us know. i was interested in the scarborough one because that's the area i would like to go because i lived in shoreham—by—sea in sussex so i'd like to go further up north because i think it looks very beautiful and parts i've missed i'd like to do that. : .. parts i've missed i'd like to do that. :, parts i've missed i'd like to do that. a :, that. check out sadie in the scarborough's _ that. check out sadie in the scarborough's hotel, i that. check out sadie in the scarborough's hotel, it i that. check out sadie in the i scarborough's hotel, it sounds absolutely lovely. i hope you do get away this year, it sounds like you deserve it, and thank you for raising it. it is a really important point for people travelling on their own. you get deals for families very often, what about the other way around? that is a point made by iris in brighton. 0808 590 9693. let's hear from you this morning. in brighton. 0808 590 9693. let's hearfrom you this morning. how in brighton. 0808 590 9693. let's hear from you this morning. how was your stay? hear from you this morning. how was yourstay? if hear from you this morning. how was your stay? if you have been on any

trips in the uk recently, if you have been lucky enough to stay in a hotel, give us a sense of what it was like, and also if you work in the industry, we want to get behind the industry, we want to get behind the check—in desk, we want to peel back the curtains and the bed sheets, tell us what is going on in hotels around the country, please. just before we go to the news, the first out of the show today we talked about the itv show this morning. it is on air today, it is now right now, but stay with us if you will. and what we have heard is that they opened the show and they haven't in any way reference, so far, anyway, the ongoing controversy around the presenter phillip schofield so you're not missing anything by sticking with us. it is 10.34. time for the news and sport now with nick hatfield first. thank you, rachel. good morning.

the mental health charity, mind, says it's concerned about planned changes to incidents which the met police will attend. the force says from september it will only go to mental health 999 calls where there is an "immediate threat to life". phillip schofield has released a statement hitting back at claims of "toxicity" on the itv show, this morning. he claims a "handful of people with a grudge...have the loudest voice". itv cut ties with the presenter after he admitted lying to cover up an affair with a younger colleague. supporters of president erdogan have celebrated overnight after he secured another five years in power in turkey. he won the run—off election vote, with a 52% share. government ministers from around the world are meeting in paris for the second round of talks on tackling plastic pollution. the un's goal is to have an agreement ready to sign by the end of next year. let's get the sports news now. thank you. following relegation from the premier league leeds united manager sam allardyce has called for the club's ownership situation to be resolved. it's believed a deal is in place for the owners of the san francisco 49ers,

who currently own 44% of leeds, to complete a full purchase for around £500 million. the aston villa captainjohn mcginn believes the club will be able to attract a better calibre of player this summer after qualifying for the europa conference league. villa will be playing in europe for the first time in 13 years. british number one cameron norrie is on court at the french open tennis. he's currently facing france's benoit paire in round one. you can hear commentary on five sports extra right now. from 3pm it will be the cricketer, the rescheduled indian premier league final takes place in ahmedabad after rain prevented play yesterday. it will be chennai versus gujarat. and sky brown has won the first world skateboarding tour event of the season in argentina. afterwards the 14—year—old said, "i'm so stoked."

hello, good morning, wherever you are listening to or watching us from this morning, whether it is bbc two, bbc news, on iplayer, bbc sounds or on 5 live, lovely to have your company particularly on this bank holiday monday. we are digging into the world of uk hotels this morning, because so many people are of course opting to stay in the uk for a holiday these days, half term holidays this week, amazing weather out there where ever you are practically in the country, you will be enjoying yourselves, no doubt about that. if anyone is right now lying on their hotel bed, wondering about whether the time is right to open that little compliment your packet of biscuits and want to talk to us and tell us about your stake i'd love to hearfrom you. 0808

to us and tell us about your stake i'd love to hear from you. 0808 590 9693. i still get a thrill, i mentioned this earlier, staying in a hotel, which i only ever really do for work, they are not that swanky the work hotels we stay in but i don't care, someone else has made the bed, someone else is going to clean up the cups after me. i try and make my bed every time i leave my room and i always unpack, even if i'm just there for one night, it makes me feel better and like i've had a holiday! i'd like to hear experiences you work in the hotel industry as well. the number to call is 0808 590 9693. text on 85058. we can speak to steven who is near gretna green in scotland. hi, stephen. gretna green in scotland. hi, ste-hen. :, . gretna green in scotland. hi, stephen-_ noti gretna green in scotland. hi, i stephen._ not bad at stephen. how are you? not bad at all. you stephen. how are you? not bad at all- you got _ stephen. how are you? not bad at all. you got out _ stephen. how are you? not bad at all. you got out of— stephen. how are you? not bad at all. you got out of the _ stephen. how are you? not bad at all. you got out of the hotel i all. you got out of the hotel business, is that right? we all. you got out of the hotel business, is that right? we sold in march last year— business, is that right? we sold in march last year and _ business, is that right? we sold in march last year and downgraded i business, is that right? we sold in| march last year and downgraded to some degree down to a restaurant which is really good fun, more enjoyable i think, butjust as much pressure. i’m enjoyable i think, but 'ust as much ressure. �* , , enjoyable i think, but 'ust as much t�*ressure. , ,, ,, pressure. i'm sure there is pressure that comes — pressure. i'm sure there is pressure that comes with _ pressure. i'm sure there is pressure that comes with that. _ pressure. i'm sure there is pressure that comes with that. why - pressure. i'm sure there is pressure that comes with that. why the i that comes with that. why the switch? what was going on? we

thoutht switch? what was going on? 9 thought it was going to be a bit more freedom at the time. however, it is going the other way with rising costs, the a way the energy has gone, the highest vat rates across europe, staff crises, everything we have going onjust across europe, staff crises, everything we have going on just now really takes the profit out of it. we have owners of hotels and restaurants doing 60, 70 hours a week to make sure they can get the profit so i think there is an onus on the uk government and scottish government to do something about it to make us more competitive with the rest of europe. we to make us more competitive with the rest of europe-— rest of europe. we were 'ust hearing the difference * rest of europe. we were 'ust hearing the difference in i rest of europe. we were 'ust hearing the difference in price i rest of europe. we were just hearing the difference in price between i the difference in price between staying a few days in a hotel in this country and going abroad for a week for an all in package which we have known about for a long time, and has been that way for a good few years now but what specifically could the government or other public bodies do to help you? i could the government or other public bodies do to help you?— bodies do to help you? i think if ou take bodies do to help you? i think if you take out — bodies do to help you? i think if you take out the _ bodies do to help you? i think if you take out the vat _ bodies do to help you? i think if you take out the vat rate i bodies do to help you? i think if you take out the vat rate and i bodies do to help you? i think if i you take out the vat rate and the bodies do to help you? i think if - you take out the vat rate and the uk at 20% at the moment where you have france and scotland done at 8%, 9%,

10%, france and scotland done at 8%, 9%, io%, given the republic of ireland are being at 13.5% making it competitive against the rest of the british isles and here we have the highest rateable value in the uk and wales have 75% rateable value discount in scotland we are paying 100% rates this year, even though the scottish government got £223 million in barnett consequentials, that wasn't passed on to hospitality in scotland so we have that as well. the deposit return scheme. all of these kind of things falling on us in scotland that governments need to look at. fire in scotland that governments need to look at. �* , . . in scotland that governments need to look at. ~ , . ., , , look at. are restaurant guests easier to handle _ look at. are restaurant guests easier to handle than - look at. are restaurant guests easier to handle than hotel. look at. are restaurant guests - easier to handle than hotel guests? i think the level of service that restaurateurs and hoteliers put in is just the same. we put in as much help and hospitality as we can, is about working with people so i don't think it is an easier way of dealing with people, people are people and if people get a good service they will enjoy it. i've done hotels for

ten or 12 years and it is enjoyable, really enjoyable, but for a restaurant we only open in the mornings until ten or ii restaurant we only open in the mornings until ten or 11 o'clock at night so that pressure of night—time, something happening in the middle of the night is away. you can have a good night's sleep now. have you had some horrors in the past, some really demanding guests? we have. we have heard people complain that ice cream was too cold, honestly it is unbelievable. but you take it with a pinch of salt. i think what people don't realise is the cost of living now hits people's pockets and every penny in a person's pocket is king, we all knew that but we have had to put prices up, everybody across hospitality and hotels have put prices up. it's not about making profit. there are many operators out there working 60, 70, 80 hours a week for maybe 2—5% profit at the end of the year to keep their businesses afloat and we need a bit of a breakjust now, we have come

through covid, brexit, the energy crises, and we are getting really very little help. the words are there, the sound bites are there but we just need to put those sound bites into action. 5m? we just need to put those sound bites into action.— we just need to put those sound bites into action. stay with us for the moment _ bites into action. stay with us for the moment. a _ bites into action. stay with us for the moment. a couple _ bites into action. stay with us for the moment. a couple of- bites into action. stay with us for the moment. a couple of texts. | the moment. a couple of texts. rachel, it is getting increasingly difficult finding hotels that are dog free. i don't wish to sleep on a bed dog has been in, says mark in chester. another one, we are on our way to butlins in skegness for a family holiday, i3 way to butlins in skegness for a family holiday, 13 of us, sounds amazing. wish us luck, from caroline, stephen, thomas and william. have a fabulous time. this one, just back from joe's yesterday, beautiful island, so we'll set up holiday makers. i rented a mobility scooter and was really well supported everywhere. merton hotel goes above and beyond. so much to see and do unfriendly and clean island bus service is excellent as well. she gives a gold star to jersey and her experience there. what about lauren in york? goad what about lauren in york? good morninu. what about lauren in york? good morning- on _ what about lauren in york? good morning. on your—

what about lauren in york? good morning. on your holidays - what about lauren in york? good morning. on your holidays at - what about lauren in york? good morning. on your holidays at the | morning. on your holidays at the moment? _ morning. on your holidays at the moment? i _ morning. on your holidays at the moment? i am _ morning. on your holidays at the moment? i am visiting _ morning. on your holidays at the moment? i am visiting my - morning. on your holidays at the i moment? i am visiting my daughter morning. on your holidays at the - moment? i am visiting my daughter at universi , moment? i am visiting my daughter at university. in — moment? i am visiting my daughter at university. in a — moment? i am visiting my daughter at university, in a hotel— moment? i am visiting my daughter at university, in a hotel at— moment? i am visiting my daughter at university, in a hotel at the _ moment? i am visiting my daughter at university, in a hotel at the moment . university, in a hotel at the moment waiting for her to come. fire university, in a hotel at the moment waiting for her to come.— waiting for her to come. are you l in: on waiting for her to come. are you lying on the _ waiting for her to come. are you lying on the hotel— waiting for her to come. are you lying on the hotel bed? - waiting for her to come. are you lying on the hotel bed? i - waiting for her to come. are you lying on the hotel bed? i am - lying on the hotel bed? i am sittin: , lying on the hotel bed? i am sitting. is— lying on the hotel bed? i am sitting, is trying _ lying on the hotel bed? i am sitting, is trying to - lying on the hotel bed? i am sitting, is trying to wake - lying on the hotel bed? i am sitting, is trying to wake up. j lying on the hotel bed? i am - sitting, is trying to wake up. how is the hotel? _ sitting, is trying to wake up. how is the hotel? kind _ sitting, is trying to wake up. how is the hotel? kind of _ sitting, is trying to wake up. how is the hotel? kind of trendy - sitting, is trying to wake up. how is the hotel? kind of trendy and i is the hotel? kind of trendy and kind of cute _ is the hotel? kind of trendy and kind of cute and _ is the hotel? kind of trendy and kind of cute and kind _ is the hotel? kind of trendy and kind of cute and kind of - is the hotel? kind of trendy and kind of cute and kind of fun, - is the hotel? kind of trendy and | kind of cute and kind of fun, but what i don't like is there are actually a lot of dogs. i don't mind dogs but ijust feel like i don't know, it doesn't feel right. but i know, it doesn't feel right. but i know that dog owners probably wouldn't agree. dag know that dog owners probably wouldn't agree.— know that dog owners probably wouldn't agree. dog is not always welcome for _ wouldn't agree. dog is not always welcome for every _ wouldn't agree. dog is not always welcome for every guest, - wouldn't agree. dog is not always welcome for every guest, i - wouldn't agree. dog is not always welcome for every guest, i get i wouldn't agree. dog is not always i welcome for every guest, i get that. a couple of my kids are allergic and i think the idea of dog hair and dog germs where i'm sitting and walking kind of does gross me out. the thing i was thinking about brexit, i kind of miss being served at a breakfast in so many hotels have the buff laid out and i just feel like i in so many hotels have the buff laid out and ijust feel like i want in so many hotels have the buff laid out and i just feel like i want a special little trait of someone bringing me in my tea and bringing me the things as part of the service

in the morning, kind of like you said making the bed. mi; in the morning, kind of like you said making the bed.— in the morning, kind of like you said making the bed. my little lad when we went _ said making the bed. my little lad when we went on _ said making the bed. my little lad when we went on holiday - said making the bed. my little lad when we went on holiday we - said making the bed. my little lad l when we went on holiday we stayed said making the bed. my little lad - when we went on holiday we stayed in a hotel as part of ourjourney down to the south of france will stop he had never stayed in a hotel before, he is seven. when we took him into the buffet breakfast he just couldn't believe it. he was like, this is all for free?! couldn't believe it. he was like, this is all forfree?! i couldn't believe it. he was like, this is all for free?!— couldn't believe it. he was like, this is all for free?! i know, for a child, because _ this is all for free?! i know, for a child, because you _ this is all for free?! i know, for a child, because you can _ this is all for free?! i know, for a child, because you can have - this is all for free?! i know, for a - child, because you can have whatever you want but when you are a grown up you want but when you are a grown up you just want to be lazy! i you want but when you are a grown up you just want to be lazy!— you 'ust want to be lazy! i detect ou youjust want to be lazy! i detect ou are youjust want to be lazy! i detect you are not _ youjust want to be lazy! i detect you are not from _ youjust want to be lazy! i detect you are not from london - youjust want to be lazy! i detect you are not from london even i you are not from london even though you are not from london even though you are not from london even though you are visiting from london. ! you are not from london even though you are visiting from london.- you are visiting from london. i know i still sneak— you are visiting from london. i know i still speak like _ you are visiting from london. i know i still speak like this _ you are visiting from london. i know i still speak like this but _ you are visiting from london. i know i still speak like this but i've - i still speak like this but i've lived here for 26 years. wayward home by? _ lived here for 26 years. wayward home by? i _ lived here for 26 years. wayward home by? i grew _ lived here for 26 years. wayward home by? i grew up _ lived here for 26 years. wayward home by? i grew up in _ lived here for 26 years. wayward home by? i grew up in michigan | lived here for 26 years. wayward i home by? i grew up in michigan in the states but _ home by? i grew up in michigan in the states but this _ home by? i grew up in michigan in the states but this is _ home by? i grew up in michigan in the states but this is my _ home by? i grew up in michigan in the states but this is my home - home by? i grew up in michigan in| the states but this is my home and where my kids are. == the states but this is my home and where my kids are.— the states but this is my home and where my kids are. -- where would home the? — where my kids are. -- where would home the? this _ where my kids are. -- where would home the? this may _ where my kids are. -- where would home the? this may be _ where my kids are. -- where would home the? this may be a _ home the? this may be a misconception but in the states there is a perception that service

levels are really high compared to the uk. ., , ., the uk. that is a good point, in the states sometimes _ the uk. that is a good point, in the states sometimes they _ the uk. that is a good point, in the states sometimes they are - the uk. that is a good point, in the states sometimes they are over - states sometimes they are over friendly, and i'm like, my god, i don't know want to know your life story. don't know want to know your life sto . ., . don't know want to know your life sto. ., ., , don't know want to know your life sto. ., ., story. you have become really british in _ story. you have become really british in that _ story. you have become really british in that case. _ story. you have become really british in that case. i - story. you have become really british in that case. i want - story. you have become really. british in that case. i want good service but _ british in that case. i want good service but i _ british in that case. i want good service but i don't _ british in that case. i want good service but i don't want - british in that case. i want good service but i don't want a - service but i don't want a new pretend friend! recently when i have stayed in a couple of different hotels because i travel for work and to visit the kids and just for fun, breakfast i had served with, it was supposed to be egg on toast and the bread came out on toasted and i was just like, come on. i don't always eat toasted bread but when it is a gun toast it should be toasted. and things like fish and chips and the chips were all soggy. and i'm like, if you can't get your english basics right you are going to be putting customers off. this is why i kinda feel bad and i want to help them, i want them to sort of understand that when we come in they have to do it right so that we will come back otherwise we will move on. nobody wants soggy _ otherwise we will move on. nobody wants soggy chips _ otherwise we will move on. nobody wants soggy chips or— otherwise we will move on. nobody wants soggy chips or soggy - otherwise we will move on. nobody wants soggy chips or soggy bread, l otherwise we will move on. nobody i wants soggy chips or soggy bread, to be honest. i think that is a really

fair point. have a wonderful stay with your daughter. york is beautiful. we have already heard from york this morning, lovely place to visit. thank you. you can stretch out back on to visit. thank you. you can stretch outback on the bed at the moment. hello, paul, back in the south—west of england, exeter. how is life there at the minute? beautiful. wouldn't want _ there at the minute? beautiful. wouldn't want to _ there at the minute? beautiful. wouldn't want to be _ there at the minute? beautiful. wouldn't want to be anywhere i there at the minute? beautiful. - wouldn't want to be anywhere else. are you staying or visiting or is that where you live? i are you staying or visiting or is that where you live? i contacted the show to talk — that where you live? i contacted the show to talk about _ that where you live? i contacted the show to talk about my _ that where you live? i contacted the show to talk about my experience, i show to talk about my experience, don't know if i can mention a national chain of hotels. depends where going _ national chain of hotels. depends where going so — national chain of hotels. depends where going so maybe _ national chain of hotels. depends where going so maybe keep - national chain of hotels. depends| where going so maybe keep them national chain of hotels. depends - where going so maybe keep them out at the moment. the element had been to watch the rugby earlier this year, england versus scotland at twickenham, we booked a hotel in walton upon thames in a well—known national chain, they have two hotels in walton which is a bit bizarre given the size of it itself. we arrived for a few drinks at 1am, got our key card sorted out and headed up our key card sorted out and headed up to the room. so there was three of us. we found three welsh blokes

are sleep in our beds which was quite incredible. just in their boxer shorts, they had officially had a few drinks as well. we questioned ourselves and our sanity and headed back down to reception where... take us back to that moment, you walk in the room, do they wake up?— moment, you walk in the room, do i they wake up?_ so they wake up? they woke up, yes. so eve one they wake up? they woke up, yes. so everyone is— they wake up? they woke up, yes. so everyone is a — they wake up? they woke up, yes. so everyone is a bit _ they wake up? they woke up, yes. so everyone is a bit surprised. _ everyone is a bit surprised. surprised, scared, a few drinks, everyone questioning the sanity. we promptly left thinking we had made a mistake and they went back to sleep, only to be woken by the young lady who didn't quite believe we had made the mistake ten minutes later, so you now have three pretty angry welsh blokes in a room. which is said they had uppishly been an error. it turned out the lead person in our group was called evans and we can only assume that one of the three welsh chaps may have been called evans. so we said, look,

let's not wake up these people, you have another hotel down the road, because there were no other beds in this hotel, apparently. we said we willjust this hotel, apparently. we said we will just go this hotel, apparently. we said we willjust go down there, pay for our taxi and we will be done but they said they couldn't do that for some reason. this debacle went on for two hours. . , . reason. this debacle went on for two hours. ., , ., , ., , hours. that is grim, that is really not fun if you _ hours. that is grim, that is really not fun if you have _ hours. that is grim, that is really not fun if you have had _ hours. that is grim, that is really not fun if you have had a - hours. that is grim, that is really not fun if you have had a long, i hours. that is grim, that is really i not fun if you have had a long, long day watching rugby. timer;r not fun if you have had a long, long day watching rugby.— not fun if you have had a long, long day watching rugby. they were going to call the police _ day watching rugby. they were going to call the police to _ day watching rugby. they were going to call the police to turf _ day watching rugby. they were going to call the police to turf these - to call the police to turf these people out of the room at one point. we are happy to go to the other hotel, we said. eventually they set us down the road and they paid for the taxi there and back each day and after the complaint was raised by our lead person with us they did get their money back in the end. we wouldn't have necessarily wanted to do that and theyjust put us in a taxi and be done with it. fair enough- _ taxi and be done with it. fair enough- did _ taxi and be done with it. fair enough. did you _ taxi and be done with it. fair enough. did you get a decent night of kip in the end? hat enough. did you get a decent night of kip in the end?— of kip in the end? not really. i ended up _ of kip in the end? not really. i ended up in — of kip in the end? not really. i ended up in this _ of kip in the end? not really. i ended up in this terrible - of kip in the end? not really. i i ended up in this terrible foldout bed and we then had to drive back to

devon the next morning so the poor chap that was driving got about four hours sleep next to two drunken snoring men. it wasn't a good experience at all.— snoring men. it wasn't a good experience at all. stay in exeter next time! _ experience at all. stay in exeter next time! it's _ experience at all. stay in exeter next time! it's a _ experience at all. stay in exeter next time! it's a much - experience at all. stay in exeter next time! it's a much more - experience at all. stay in exeter- next time! it's a much more amenable city! i'm glad it is semi—resolved itself in the end. yes, if anyone else wants to share what else they found unexpectedly in their hotel beds, other than three welsh blokes, feel free. 0808 590 9693 kate nicholls, chief executive of ukhospitality, how are you this morning, kate?— ukhospitality, how are you this morning, kate? ukhospitality, how are you this mornina, kate? ., ., morning, kate? good morning to you, ve well. morning, kate? good morning to you, very well- just — morning, kate? good morning to you, very well- just going — morning, kate? good morning to you, very well. just going back _ morning, kate? good morning to you, very well. just going back to _ morning, kate? good morning to you, very well. just going back to that - very well. just going back to that scenario, very well. just going back to that scenario. it _ very well. just going back to that scenario, it is _ very well. just going back to that scenario, it is easily _ very well. just going back to that scenario, it is easily resolved i very well. just going back to that scenario, it is easily resolved if i scenario, it is easily resolved if somebody uses a bit of nous and fix ability and says we can sort this out. but to have people standing around for a couple of hours trying to sort out a hotel room. i don't particularly want you to comment on that case, but if you want to give good service you have got to be able to respond to those situations quickly. to respond to those situations cuickl. , to respond to those situations cuickl. ~ ,~ to respond to those situations cuickl. ., quickly. absolutely and that's what

our teams are _ quickly. absolutely and that's what our teams are tackling _ quickly. absolutely and that's what our teams are tackling everyday i quickly. absolutely and that's what. our teams are tackling everyday and making sure they can resolve issues. mistakes happen, people are only human but we worked really hard to try and put it right and it's incredibly challenging to trying to do that in the middle of the night when people have already gone to bed and rooms are already booked. and uppishly then when you are in that scenario you are on to a skeleton staff the other hotel is nearby that you are trying to resolve, so let's give a bit of thought and kindness to the hard—working people in the hotel sector who are they giving you that fantastic service and brilliant experience. it won't be perfect all the time but they are only human and they are trying their best. that the time but they are only human and they are trying their best.— they are trying their best. that is totally fair. _ they are trying their best. that is totally fair, absolutely _ they are trying their best. that is totally fair, absolutely fair - totally fair, absolutely fair enough. what is the general state of play with the hotel industry in this country at the moment? a lot of talk about post—covid, the uk capitalising on its home hospitality. is that happening? we are hospitality. is that happening? - are seeing that happening, thankfully, and after three years where travel extinctions no restrictions have been in place and places have been closed down it is good to see the bookings coming back up, notjust the domestic

holiday—makers continuing to holiday in the uk, continuing to take short breaks in our towns and cities, many of which they had forgotten about or overlooked when they were able to travel elsewhere, but also seeing our international visitors starting to come back. so it is a long, slow road to recovery, the hotel sector is taking longer than other parts of hospitality to get back to full strength and full capacity. we are still down at about 75% of normal occupancy. that's across the uk. and that's across the year as a whole. but we are hopeful we will see those visitor numbers creep back upwards and spend also creep back upward so the hotels can continue to repair shattered balance sheets. but it's worth pointing out that over the three years of covid we have lost a third of our independent hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts. a third of independents. that is a huge number. a third of independents. that is a huge number-— huge number. yeah. they are struggling _ huge number. yeah. they are struggling with _ huge number. yeah. they are struggling with cobra - huge number. yeah. they are| struggling with cobra -related huge number. yeah. they are - struggling with cobra -related debt, struggling with cobra —related debt, they have sky high energy costs and food price inflation, their margins have been eroded, so they are still

struggling by and large. what have been eroded, so they are still struggling by and large. what about recruitin: struggling by and large. what about recruiting staff? _ struggling by and large. what about recruiting staff? that's _ struggling by and large. what about recruiting staff? that's something l recruiting staff? that's something we will talk about with a couple of callers in a moment.— callers in a moment. recruitment remains a — callers in a moment. recruitment remains a challenge, _ callers in a moment. recruitment remains a challenge, we - callers in a moment. recruitment remains a challenge, we have - callers in a moment. recruitment| remains a challenge, we have 1096 remains a challenge, we have 10% vacancy rates across the uk and in our hotel sector a large proportion of that will be seasonal work so you are needing to get people to come in and scale up and work up for a summer season, and in and scale up and work up for a summerseason, and in certain and scale up and work up for a summer season, and in certain parts of the country you don't have that length of time people are open 24/7 and 365 days a year. so it remains a challenge to recruit those staff, the a third of hotel businesses are saying they are restricting occupancy, orturning saying they are restricting occupancy, or turning away bookings because they don't have staff to fulfil demand. so it is holding us back. we could deliver more if we have the staff that were available. and then the second part relates to thatis and then the second part relates to that is those staff that are available are available are coming in cold. they haven't worked in hospitality before, many of them haven't worked it all before because young people and hospitality does skew towards young people, many of whom have no experience of summer jobs or saturdayjobs during that

covid period so we are working intensively to train them up, scale them up and provide them with soft skills that will stand them in good stead wherever they go to have a career. t stead wherever they go to have a career. ., , , stead wherever they go to have a career. ., _ ., stead wherever they go to have a career. ., ., , career. i was saying on my 5 live show recently — career. i was saying on my 5 live show recently that _ career. i was saying on my 5 live show recently that i _ career. i was saying on my 5 live show recently that i felt - career. i was saying on my 5 live show recently that i felt the - show recently that i felt the hospitality should be towards young people, many of whom have no experience of summerjobs or saturdayjobs during that covid period so we are working intensively to train them up, scale them up and provide them with soft skills that will stand them in good stead wherever they go to have a career. i was saying on my 5 live show recently that i felt the hospitality should be a kind of national service, that everybody has to do a couple of years of it at some stage in their early life. so i'm sure those opportunities will be taken up by a new generation, hopefully, when it becomes available to them. thank you for talking to us, kate. nice to hear from you for talking to us, kate. nice to hearfrom kate nicholls who is chief executive of ukhospitality. let's talk about the issue of recruitment. sarah in cumbria good morning. hagar sarah in cumbria good morning. how are ou? sarah in cumbria good morning. how are you? not — sarah in cumbria good morning. how are you? not too _ sarah in cumbria good morning. how are you? not too bad _ sarah in cumbria good morning. how are you? not too bad at _ sarah in cumbria good morning. how are you? not too bad at all. - sarah in cumbria good morning. how are you? not too bad at all. tell - sarah in cumbria good morning. how are you? not too bad at all. tell us i are you? not too bad at all. tell us about your — are you? not too bad at all. tell us about your experience _ are you? not too bad at all. tell us about your experience here - are you? not too bad at all. tell us about your experience here and i are you? not too bad at all. tell us i about your experience here and what you do in terms of your role in hospitality and the challenges you have been facing. to be honest i'm here as an international student

studying at the university of salford and living on—campus accommodation but previously i have worked in england and i have worked as a chef. flan worked in england and i have worked as a chef. ., ., ., worked in england and i have worked as a chef. . . ~ ., , ., as a chef. can i take the names of these two — as a chef. can i take the names of these two restaurants _ as a chef. can i take the names of these two restaurants will - as a chef. can i take the names of these two restaurants will have i these two restaurants will have worked? {30 these two restaurants will have worked? . . these two restaurants will have worked?_ i _ these two restaurants will have worked?_ i have - these two restaurants will have worked?_ i have a i these two restaurants will have worked?_ i have a lot these two restaurants will have i worked?_ i have a lot of worked? go ahead. i have a lot of resect worked? go ahead. i have a lot of respect towards _ worked? go ahead. i have a lot of respect towards both _ worked? go ahead. i have a lot of respect towards both of _ worked? go ahead. i have a lot of respect towards both of the - worked? go ahead. i have a lot of| respect towards both of the hotels and restaurants because working over there i really got quite a wonderful experience, i met a lot of people, with some people i still have good relations and the overall experience was positive. my first hotel where i worked as a chef was premier inn in the second restaurant. i really enjoyed my time there. i'm not from hospitality background, to be honest. 0n hospitality background, to be honest. on my education is different, i worked honest. on my education is different, iworked in honest. on my education is different, i worked in the it industry for several years but when i came to england i thought let me

take a break and explore something else. and that's something else was quite close to my heart, cooking. since childhood i have seen my mother and my sisters cooking for the whole family. so to be honest i was one of the youngest siblings at home. but at home i never really had to cook anything. my home cooking started when i stepped out of home and stayed in different cities and different countries. but i really enjoyed it. 50 different countries. but i really enjoyed it— different countries. but i really en'o ed it. ., ., ., ., enjoyed it. so you have had a great ranue enjoyed it. so you have had a great ranae of enjoyed it. so you have had a great range of experience. _ enjoyed it. so you have had a great range of experience. and _ enjoyed it. so you have had a great range of experience. and what - enjoyed it. so you have had a great range of experience. and what are | range of experience. and what are you seeing nowadays vinaya, in terms of trying to get staff in these industries?— of trying to get staff in these industries? �* ., ., , ., industries? i'm not affiliated with the hospitality — industries? i'm not affiliated with the hospitality industry _ industries? i'm not affiliated with the hospitality industry because i industries? i'm not affiliated with l the hospitality industry because i'm studying full time now but i can definitely say what i experienced when i was working there. first of all, somehow, nothing against any

generation, but i totally relate with the gentleman named james who was on the show a few minutes ago and who worked as a chef for 50 plus years. i'm still an old school person, i'm totally with him that somehow, unfortunately people are quite taken aback nowadays when it comes to taking more effort. i do not know the reason. in fact, i had one friend in one of the restaurants where i worked and her daughter was very clear that she doesn't want to work weekends so she let go many opportunities. you work weekends so she let go many opportunities-— work weekends so she let go many o- ortunities. ., . , , opportunities. you feel that members ofthe opportunities. you feel that members of the younger _ opportunities. you feel that members of the younger generation _ opportunities. you feel that members of the younger generation are - opportunities. you feel that members of the younger generation are not - of the younger generation are not really making themselves available, prepared to kind of put the shift in? sarah in cumbria, i know you see a slightly different side of hospitality to hotels but i know plenty of young people desperate for work. what are you seeing, sarah?

yes, thank you. in my hotel we do have a real problem with actually getting staff in and the staff shortages are just ridiculous. we do love this industry and we love serving our customers but services that used to have four or five staff serving them, now we have one or two and it'sjust serving them, now we have one or two and it's just really, serving them, now we have one or two and it'sjust really, really, really hard to provide a good service to our customers. you are at the famous tivo service is just off the motorway. it does have a famous services that i'm sure everybody knows about and we're really proud to serve our customers really and we do try and try and give a good experience to them. —— tebay services. unfortunately people are starting to leave the industry to find opportunities

elsewhere. i5 industry to find opportunities elsewhere-— industry to find opportunities elsewhere. . . , , elsewhere. is that because the pressures _ elsewhere. is that because the pressures are _ elsewhere. is that because the pressures are greater- elsewhere. is that because the pressures are greater because | elsewhere. is that because the - pressures are greater because there are fewer staff around?— are fewer staff around? exactly. there's so _ are fewer staff around? exactly. there's so much _ are fewer staff around? exactly. there's so much more _ are fewer staff around? exactly. | there's so much more pressure, especially post—covid, lot more people are travelling in the uk and going on holiday in the uk so we are busier now than we have ever been. why is it such a problem? hospitality can be great fun, even if you are going for a season, or saying i'm just going to spend a couple of seasons of my career, it is hard work and the hours are long, but it can be really fulfilling and in many different levels. i weigh trust for many years, didn't work in a hotel that i weigh trust for many years. but also a sense of community and family you get in a well—run hotel —— i did waitressing. i and family you get in a well-run hotel -- i did waitressing.- hotel -- i did waitressing. i feel that in my _ hotel -- i did waitressing. i feel that in my hotel— hotel -- i did waitressing. i feel that in my hotel as _ hotel -- i did waitressing. i feel that in my hotel as well. - hotel -- i did waitressing. i feel that in my hotel as well. we i hotel -- i did waitressing. i feel that in my hotel as well. we do| hotel -- i did waitressing. i feel i that in my hotel as well. we do pull together and work hard as a team and we do really want to make things better if we can. but like your previous caller was saying, summer staff that come in, we haven't got time to train them properly because either they are only here for a few months, orwe're either they are only here for a few months, or we're so busy that we just have to kind of throw them in

at the deep end and let them get on with things. at the deep end and let them get on with thins. ., ., , ., ., ., with things. how does all of that im act on with things. how does all of that impact on the — with things. how does all of that impact on the number _ with things. how does all of that impact on the number of - with things. how does all of that i impact on the number of bookings with things. how does all of that - impact on the number of bookings you take? we impact on the number of bookings you take? ~ , ., ., ., impact on the number of bookings you take? . , ., ., ., ., take? we still manage to fill our hotel, we take? we still manage to fill our hotel. we are — take? we still manage to fill our hotel, we are busy, _ take? we still manage to fill our hotel, we are busy, we - take? we still manage to fill our hotel, we are busy, we are - take? we still manage to fill our. hotel, we are busy, we are nearly full every night. but the standards start to slip a little bit, maybe, and we are so rushed that we can't give the level of service that we want to give to people. the give the level of service that we want to give to people. the best of luck for the — want to give to people. the best of luck for the coming _ want to give to people. the best of luck for the coming weeks, - want to give to people. the best of luck for the coming weeks, things i luck for the coming weeks, things are going to ramp up heading to the summer holidays. i know you are a very popular destination for people making their way up the m6. thank you for talking to us. we just have time to speak to raj in stratford. thank you for waiting, and how are you? thank you for waiting, and how are ou? ., ., ., .,. thank you for waiting, and how are ou? ., ., ., .. ., you? hi, good morning, rachel, how are ou? you? hi, good morning, rachel, how are you? fine. _ you? hi, good morning, rachel, how are you? fine, thank— you? hi, good morning, rachel, how are you? fine, thank you, _ you? hi, good morning, rachel, how are you? fine, thank you, what - you? hi, good morning, rachel, how| are you? fine, thank you, what would ou like to are you? fine, thank you, what would you like to say? _ are you? fine, thank you, what would you like to say? i _ are you? fine, thank you, what would you like to say? ijust _ are you? fine, thank you, what would you like to say? i just want _ are you? fine, thank you, what would you like to say? i just want to - you like to say? i 'ust want to share my h you like to say? i just want to share my experience - you like to say? i just want to share my experience of- you like to say? i just want to i share my experience of staying you like to say? i just want to - share my experience of staying in a hotel called burnside hotel in stratford—upon—avon. we hotel called burnside hotel in stratford-upon-avon. we have about 30 seconds. — stratford-upon-avon. we have about 30 seconds. if _ stratford-upon-avon. we have about 30 seconds, if you _ stratford-upon-avon. we have about 30 seconds, if you can _ stratford-upon-avon. we have about 30 seconds, if you can get _ stratford-upon-avon. we have about 30 seconds, if you can get it - stratford-upon-avon. we have about 30 seconds, if you can get it in. - stratford-upon-avon. we have about 30 seconds, if you can get it in. it i 30 seconds, if you can get it in. tit was a four star rated hotel and it

was a four star rated hotel and it was a four star rated hotel and it was a family run hotel and me and the wife had been travelling up north. we stopped here for a night and i was amazed at the level of service, cleanliness which is very important to us after covid, standards of food, it was just marvellous. so i was very pleased seeing that kind of old british hospitality in a hotel. that seeing that kind of old british hospitality in a hotel.- seeing that kind of old british hospitality in a hotel. that is a really nice _ hospitality in a hotel. that is a really nice call— hospitality in a hotel. that is a really nice call to _ hospitality in a hotel. that is a really nice call to end - hospitality in a hotel. that is a really nice call to end on. - spain's prime minister announces a snap general electit on. i'm hospitality in a hotel. that is a really nice call to end on. i'm. really nice call to end on. i'm afraid we won't have time to hear really nice call to end on. i'm afraid we won't have time to hear more about your experience but thank more about your experience but thank you so much, raj, glad to hear it you so much, raj, glad to hear it went well for you. thanks for went well for you. thanks for keeping us company today. keeping us company today. live from london, this is bbc news. live from london, this is bbc news. a snap general election — the british tv presenter phillip the british tv presenter phillip schofield. resign after lying about schofield. resign after lying affair denies claims of a toxic culture that is from a programme. —— at his former programme.

spain's prime minister announces