Editorial 01.10.2024
Tuesday’s front pages are dominated by two polar opposite stories: Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon and the Strictly Come Dancing bullying report.
The Strictly Come Dancing report leads many of the tabloid newspapers after a report was issued – and an apology from the BBC – into bullying allegations on the hit TV show. In 2023 Amanda Abbington put in a formal complaint against her Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
The report found some of her complaints to be true, but Pernice has been cleared of the most serious allegations. Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, but claims of physical aggression were not.
Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon makes up the rest of the UK front pages this morning, as editors speculate as to whether this is the start of an all-out regional war.
Elsewhere, there’s a sprinkle of domestic stories on the front pages including UK politics and showbiz and royal news.
‘BBC apologises after Strictly scandal’
‘Vindicated,’ says the Metro’s front page.
The Metro leads on the abuse report saying it has been “revealed at last” and quoting Amanda Abbington who says she has been “vindicated” by the verdict. The BBC has apologised to the actress and upheld some of her complaints against Giovanni Pernice – but he was cleared of some of the most serious allegations.
‘I’ve won’ says The Sun as Abbington considers suing BBC.
The Sun says “I’ve won” along with pictures of both parties. Abbington has received her BBC apology and Pernice has been “cleared of violence in a fudged report”, the paper says. Both have claimed victories. According to an unnamed source, Abbington is considering suing the BBC.
‘Both sides can claim victory,’ says The Mirror whilst the Express picks up on the BBC apology.
The Daily Express also leads with the Strictly report saying the BBC has apologised to Amanda. Whilst the Daily Mirror says both sides can claim victory.
‘Fudge report,’ is the Daily Mail’s take.
The Daily Mail calls the report a “fudge inquiry.” The Telegraph and The Times feature large images of the pair dancing on their splashes. A small top bar banner on the front page of The Guardian also notes the BBC has apologised.
For many other front pages, the story features as a secondary article along with a picture.
‘Israel to invade Lebanon’
Most of the newspapers had already gone to print before the Israeli military entered southern Lebanon. The papers therefore speculate on the planned ground invasion and what it means for the Middle East crisis.
‘World holds its breath,’ says the Mail.
The Daily Mail says “world holds breath as Israel set to invade Lebanon.”
‘US sends additional troops,’ writes the Financial Times.
The Financial Times features an image of mourners attending a funeral for a “victim of Israeli air strikes” in southern Lebanon. The paper’s headline also reflects the fear of many of the papers last night: “Israel’s forces poised for imminent ground assault.” The paper also reports that the US is sending an “additional few thousand troops” and fighter jets to the region to protect the 40,000 US service personnel already there and help Israel defend itself.
‘Ground attacks on Hezbollah have begun,’ says The Guardian.
The Guardian features an image of Israeli tanks massing saying Israel had already “begun ground attacks on Hezbollah inside Lebanon.”
‘Nenayhu tells Iran there’s nowhere in the Middle East that Israel cannot reach,’ notes the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph leads with remarks made by Israeli PM Netanyahu who warns Iran “You’re in our sights”. The paper reports Netanyahu’s speech was aimed at the citizens of Iran, telling them that the Islamic Republic’s “puppets” were being eliminated by the day. “There is nowhere in the Middle East Israel cannot reach,” the Telegraph quotes him as saying. The paper says his words were a “possible prelude” to a war with Iran itself.