Days after Michael Buerk slammed the BBC's Jubilee coverage, celebrities have come to the defence of Tess Daly, whom Buerk described as a "pneumatic bird brain".
The Pineapple Dance Studio narrator singled out the Strictly Come Dancing presenter for criticism, resulting in a backlash from Tess's shocked celeb friends
Former Strictly contestant and EastEnders thesp Natalie Cassidy tweeted "Can't believe Michael Burke's called Tess a bird brain! I bet he couldn't even read an autocue!" (sic); while fellow ex contestant Felicity Kendal cryptically tweeted "Buerk is a fucking disgrace. Ask him about Jimmy Savile's New Year's party in 1979 *innocent face*".
In reply to Cassidy, Shameless loudmouth Tina Malone Twitter-blasted "I agree girl! Who the fuck is he anyway? What's he ever done?!". When a fellow Twitter user pointed out to Ms Malone that Buerk's Ethiopian report for the BBC in 1984 led to Band Aid, Malone responded "Ethiopians are still dying la. He's got blood on his fuckin hands".
While Daly herself declined to comment, her Strictly co host Bruce Forsyth did attempt to offer support. The Slinger's Day star, currently staying at his Mustique bolthole with friends including Jimmy Tarbuck and Celine Dion, was overheard saying "Tess Daly? Lovely young man. Shame he didn't get the gold for diving this year but his time will come".
A BBC spokeswoman said "Michael Buerk is entitled to his opinion. He has done so much wonderful work for the BBC over the years. We look forward to working with him again on the upcoming new quiz show Mind The Gap!with the national treasure Clare Balding."
