Olla Podrida

Licence-payers, the BBC Trust and BBC staff alike will be heartened by the news from Alan Yentob; "I'm more involved in running the BBC than people think".  This despite having no departmental budget, and being removed from the BBC Management Board (nee Direction Group) by George Entwistle on Day 12 of his 54-day tenure. 

Alan is among those thought to be receiving a BBC pension and a salary; these numbers swell when Tony Hall comes on the books in March. Alan, right, with a gold lanyard to hold his Identity Card. One would have thought that he was unmistakable.  

News that BBC1 Controller Danny Cohen is ending Merlin after the current series will upset fans of Alice Patten, who played Ygraine Pendragon in Series 2 and 3.

Meanwhile The Guardian says the BBC is in negotiation with Camelot to retain rights to broadcast lottery draws. Camelot's Chief Executive is Andy Duncan, late of the BBC, Channel 4 and car dealer H R Owen.