Andi Oliver calls for accountability

Andi Oliver revisits a harmful on air moment and argues broadcasting must be held to higher standards.

Andi Oliver demands accountability after Moyles on air remarks

Andi Oliver, now 62, says she has not forgiven Chris Moyles and would still like to kill him, decades after Moyles asked listeners on Radio 1 if they would shag her when her daughter Miquita was 16. The remark, made while Moyles was 26, sparked complaints and drew scrutiny from regulators in the years that followed. Oliver tells The i Paper that she has never confronted Moyles and believes he would backpedal if pressed. She compares his misogynistic remarks to a drunk racist and says lad culture at the time allowed such language.

The BBC has maintained that its editors follow guidelines and duty of care for audiences, contributors and employees. The incident is part of a broader pattern of controversial moments that led to complaints and regulatory reviews, including criticisms upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Commission. The piece also recalls similar episodes involving Charlotte Church, Will Young and others, underscoring a wider debate about sexism and discrimination in broadcasting history.

The episode shines a light on how casual misogyny lived on air for years and how audiences paid the price in silence. It raises questions about how much progress has actually been made in protecting young talent and setting boundaries in live radio. The case also tests the public’s appetite for accountability when past conduct is decades old but still impacts victims. Regulators and broadcasters face pressure to show clear, consistent standards rather than relying on apologies that come late in the game.

While some reforms have followed, the story suggests change is uneven. It hints at a future where tone policing and accountability evolve in tandem with shifting public expectations, and where the industry must prove it can support young performers without normalizing harmful jokes or harassment.

Highlights

The industry is under renewed scrutiny to prove that safety and respect come first.