'A bunch of control freaks'

John Cleese has blasted the BBC as a bunch of control freaks - for planning a tribute to him.

His outburst came after BBC America announced it was planning a retrospective called John Cleese Forever.

But the comic complained to the New York Times: "You'd have thought they would have discussed it with me, asked me if I had any ideas.

"The BBC is just the same as all the other organisations these days, with a bunch of control freaks in control. They are sure that they know their audience and can,t imagine anyone else has much to offer.

"I can't understand how such a huge organisation can be so impoverished.

Cleese is about to star as abusive TV network boss Red Lansing in the new American sitcom Wednesday 9.30 (8.30 Central)

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Published: 24 Mar 2002