Why should it matter if there are performers on the panel? Presumably they would not be allowed to vote for themselves. I am baffled why they thought it necessary to make such a statement, since it appears to be misleading. However I suspect that the BBC finds the folk world's blurred distinction between musicians and civilians hard to understand.

It's unlikely that out of 150 judges a significant majority could be "cronies". However with this number the laws of probability favour the well-known, high-profile performers - who are the ones you'd expect to get nominated.

The Folk Awards aren't really aimed at us. Where they have an impact is with the non-folk media and general audience. Once a year, folk music gets a bit of attention. That should be a good thing. Instead we complain about details, and then spend the rest of the year bemoaning the fact that our music is ignored. Why should we expect the BBC to continue to broadcast folk music when the response is this?