Jonathan Ross Suspension Is Damaging To Bands

A leading media director claims that the suspension of Jonathan Ross' Friday night chat show is damaging to indie bands.

Ross of course was suspended without pay for three months by the BBC last week for his part in the Andrew Sachs storm in a teacup scandal.

Stuart Bell, who does PR for acts including Led Zeppelin and Any Winehouse, claims that Friday Night With Jonathan Ross is an important portal that bands are now missing out on.

"Performance-wise, it's very important for artist promotion. It's key – the Holy Grail for that kind of audience. If you do something like Later... with Jools Holland, you get the coolness and the credibility, but not always the viewing figures.

“There's no Parkinson now, either, and no alternative at this time of year. And November is so important. There's the morning shows, GMTV, which is fine for Leona Lewis. But if you're The Killers or Razorlight, you want Jonathan Ross."

Gigwise writer Stephen Bushell has published a blog about the ridiculous furore over the Sachs 'scandal'. Read it and post your comments by CLICKING HERE.