Paris Hilton has been spotted greeting BBC journalists who were on the picket line in front of the BBC headquarters in London this morning (Thursday 16 March).
The heiress and reality star was on her way to appear on Radio 4 Woman’s Hour as she promotes her new book, Paris: The Memoir.
A photograph shared by Twitter user @rosiehuz shows Hilton, who is wearing a dark blue velvet dress with black tights and black heels, smiling at those who were on strike.
She wrote in the captain: “That’s hot. Comrade Paris Hilton on the BBC NUJ picket line this morning in London (yes it’s really her).”
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) also posted a video to its Twitter account, showing a member of BBC staff offering Hilton a flag.
While the new mother-of-one did not accept the flag, she did turn to acknowledge the staff member. It is unclear what she said.
The NUJ wrote in its caption: “Hi Paris Hilton [wave emoji] we can send you a flag to help you show solidarity with journalists on strike in their fight to save BBC Local radio services.”
A number of journalists working for BBC Local are striking over the broadcaster’s plans to cut local radio services in an effort to “modernise” them and save money.
Under the plans, 48 jobs are at risk and £19 million will be “reprioritised from broadcast services towards online and multimedia production”.
The majority (83 per cent) of NUJ members working for BBC Local voted in favour of strike action last month. Some members of staff began striking from 11am on Wednesday (15 March).
The NUJ is engaged in discussions with the BBC and is urging the broadcaster to rethink the move.
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “Staff are striking this week as a last resort – they are under no illusion that the BBC’s plans will undermine already hollowed out local radio content across England.
“It’s not simply a question about jobs and conditions for our members – they believe passionately in the value that quality local content brings to their audiences, journalist that is trusted and relied upon in the communities they serve.”
She condemned the BBC’s “raiding of local radio budgets” in order to prioritise digital content as “wrongheaded”, and warned that it “risks undermining a vital part of our public service broadcasting”.
“People want local, relevant news that is accessible, and that should remain a core part of the breadth of BBC output,” Stanistreet added.
Hilton’s memoir was released on 14 March. In it, she details her life in the spotlight and reveals how she felt “pressured” into filming a 2003 sex tape with then-boyfriend Rick Salomon, which he later leaked and sold.
