Dick,

Given that you don't pay anything towards them, I'd suggest that you have very little right to demand that "the sooner these awards aere stopPed The .Better"

Also, are you aware that the audience have to pay a considerable amount, as much as £33 plus booking fee for tickets? Given the size of the Albert Hall, I'd suggest that this would cover most, if not all, of the expense of hosting the evening. So perhaps it doesn't have any impact on the licence fee, at all.

Ans as for Ido not know anyone who has been encouraged to perfoprm other than the tiny proprtion of winners., then you clearly haven't listened to the views of many of those who enter the 'Young Folk Award', a integral part of the event? Many, not just the winners, are thrilled about it. And these virtual unknowns are in no way 'the elite'.

Sorry, but your arguments really hold no water at all.