David Challinor

Fascinatingly enough, Gilbert's 'official site' is using this thread in its efforts to see what happened to the coverage and gather support. Go to Gilbert O'Sullivan - A Friend of Mine - The Official Website and click on the word forum, and it takes you back here!
There is a thimblefull worth of his performance on the site, shot I presume by a fan, not the Beeb.

Biffo

I too sent a message of complaint to the BBC and had a reply which went along the lines of, thay have finite resources and cannot show every act and that my complaint has been recorded. So that was that! I understand they can't show every act but Gilbert was on the main Pyramid stage on that day and in some Sunday newpapers in their TV sections, they had Gilbert's performance scheduled to be shown.
Going back to Dogstar's comments about Gilbert's early image, it's strange but they had some photos of him in Uncut magazine awhile ago with the flat cap and long trousers (not short ones this time) and the image didn't appear that dated, when compared to other stars at the time with their long hair, make up etc. Although I do agree with Dogstar that, at that time Gilbert's image didn't conform to the image of what a "pop star" should look like in the Seventies and it may have gone against him then.
Moving back to a more film/TV basis, but still on Gilbert, I remember Richard Curtis at the 2007 (I think) BAFTA's attributing Gilbert's record "Nothing Rhymed" for being the inspiration for him to start his charity work. Richard then quoted the verse from the song which has the lines "will I glance at my screen and see real human beings, starve to death right in front of my eyes". Someone will probably correct me on this, but I think Gilbert was the first artist (in song) to actually include in his lyrics about the famine in Africa. Since that time we have obviously had Band Aid and Live Aid.

bhowells

I was a big fan of Gilbert O'Sullivan in my teens and recently returned to him when I bought a compilation a great talent, his work hasnt dated that much and upon hearing his more recent recordings I note this his voice hasnt changed much neither.

Shame he wasnt at Glastonbury, I didnt see any of the coverage but I did see Stackridge being interviewed on BBBc news, they were appeared in the first Glastgonbury festival.

davedingle

Thank you for your e-mail about 'Glastonbury 2008'.

I understand you are disappointed the Gilbert O'Sullivan's set was not
broadcast.

Whilst we aim to provide extensive television, radio and online coverage,
the BBC's resources are finite meaning we cannot cover every single act
appearing at the festival and therefore have to make editorial decisions as
to what to cover for the benefit of all audiences.

We regret Gilbert O'Sullivan was not featured in our coverage. We'd like to
assure you that we have registered your comments on our audience log. This
is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all
programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also
their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other
comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us.

Regards


BBC Complaints

David Challinor

The reply is very much in keeping with the modern BBC – I mean, if these editorial decisions could extend to a commissioning choice between attracting a middle-aged audience with Morecambe and Wise...or a yoof audience with Hale & Pace, you Hale and Pace fans would be laughing!

David Brent

I also was a fan of Gilbert O'Sullivan.

I believe he is still writing songs and performing and lives on the island of Jersey with his family.

I remember when his name was once mentioned in an episode of 'Vicar Of Dibley' and the character from the show Letitia Cropley said "I know him. He's the one who fancies his little niece".

Dave.