Richard Sharp: ‘pale, male, stale’ BBC chair with friends in high places

Richard Sharp addresses questions about BBC impartiality in front of the Commons digital, culture, media and sport select committee. Photograph: Parliament TV

When Richard Sharp was named as BBC chair two years ago, he was worried staff had already made up their minds about him: “White, pale, male, stale,” as he put it.

Sharp certainly ticks all the right boxes when it comes to striking fear into the heart of a BBC facing seemingly constant political opposition and rounds of cuts to services and jobs ahead of a new make-or-break licence fee negotiation.