Is the BBC worth it? This line-up of (rather biased) stars certainly thinks so!

Published: 01:50, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 02:50, 20 July 2026 As the ranks of licence fee refuseniks grow, the corporation has enlisted an army of its stars in an effort to convince Britons it is still worth paying for. A four-minute campaign film, titled What Has The BBC Ever Done For Me?, aired for the first time last night – featuring almost 100 famous faces ahead of crucial talks over the Royal Charter and future financing. Ministers are set to consider how the corporation should be funded beyond 2027 as scrutiny grows over whether the BBC's current model, including the £180 fee, can survive. Such is the reliance on the levy that World Cup viewers have been bombarded during games with on-screen QR codes and reminders to pay the charge. The advertisement, fronted by comedian Romesh Ranganathan, kicks off inside EastEnders' Queen Vic pub, where he picks up a newspaper splashed with the question: 'Is the BBC really worth it?' Turning to barmaid Tracey, played by Jane Slaughter, he says: 'You've got to ask – what has the BBC ever done for me?' The campaign is a reworking of the BBC's 1986 advert starring John Cleese, which became one of the corporation's most memorable pieces of self-promotion. From there, Ranganathan embarks on a whistle-stop tour through the BBC's most recognisable programmes, studios and personalities. Vanguard: From left, Adam Woodyatt, Jane Slaughter, Nick Grimshaw, Trevor Nelson, Rudolph Walker, Greg James, Anita Rani, Louise Minchin, Dr Xand van Tulleken, Diane Parish, Paul Merton, Katie Thistleton, Stacey Solomon and Sir David Jason Claudia Winkleman is seen pouring a pint of beer from a pump with a Traitors branded beer clip Coldplay's Chris Martin sits at the piano playing a tune as part of the BBC's campaign video  Ruth Jones, creator and star of the beloved comedy show Gavin and Stacey, promotes the corporation's Welsh language radio station BBC Radio Cymru  Coldplay frontman Chris Martin plays the piano, Claudia Winkleman pulls pints and stars from Casualty to Strictly make the case for the broadcaster. The likes of Mary Berry, Louis Theroux, Alan Carr, Graham Norton, Ruth Jones and even Pudsey Bear and Doctor Who's Daleks make an appearance. Later, Theroux appears beside a giant lever and warns: 'None of this exists if we don't want it to,' before Ranganathan is handed figures claiming the BBC generates more than £6.5 billion for the UK economy. But nearly 40 years on from Cleese's campaign, the latest ad arrives at a far more difficult moment for the broadcaster as it faces mounting pressure over its future, and growing resistance to the licence fee. Many households have increasingly questioned the compulsory charge, while the BBC has faced a series of bruising controversies in recent years, including rows over impartiality, high-profile presenter scandals, editorial decisions, criticism over staff salaries and falling audiences for some flagship programmes. According to the BBC's annual report last week, 500,000 fewer people paid the licence fee in the past year – the biggest annual drop since the pandemic. It has also warned its finances are under growing pressure, reporting a £121 million operating deficit while planning up to 2,000 job cuts. And it is battling changing viewing habits as audiences move towards streaming giants such as Netflix and Disney+. Whether the campaign wins over viewers remains to be seen. Social media users have already questioned why the BBC did not feature ordinary licence fee payers explaining what the broadcaster means to them, rather than relying on a parade of celebrities. But the BBC said it was designed to ensure it gets credit not only for 'the things it makes' but for its wider impact on society.   In an interview with The Sunday Times, chairman Samir Shah warned changes to the licence fee were needed ahead of next year's Royal Charter. He went on to suggest TV remotes should come with a specific iPlayer button, like they have for Netflix and Amazon, which pay for them.