Artistry

Those who have enjoyed Lorraine Kelly's argument that she is a 'theatrical artist' playing a character on tv - an argument that saved her a £1.2m tax bill - might like to read in full the definitions that supported her case. They came in 2006, from Madeley & Finnigan (Richard & Judy) v HMRC, from Special Commissioner Howard Nowlam, who later became a Judge, and retired in 2016.

 "I would certainly accept that newsreaders and the weathermen on television are not 'theatrical artists'. Few will forget Angela Rippon's 'high kick', and I accept that the weathermen usually perform an amusing Christmas carol shortly before Christmas. I also accept that with the cult of the celebrity, more attention is given to the appearance and personality of newsreaders than in the past, but I
still consider that their role is passive. People switch on the 'news' to find out what has happened, and the presenter will ideally be pleasant but unobtrusive. I would not describe newsreaders as performers or entertainers, and certainly not as theatrical artists.

"I reach the same conclusion about presenters of current affairs programmes. Some have their unique style and some or most can be very impressive, but they are again neither entertainers nor theatrical artists.

"Game show hosts can probably cross the line and be described as 'theatrical performers'. I would unquestionably apply that description to Bruce Forsyth and to Ant and Dec. My observation as regards Bruce Forsyth is not so much because I assume that he has a background in dance and stage or music-hall. It is simply that his ability to break into dance, and his whole presentation is 'theatrical', and he is clearly an artist.

"Quiz show hosts are more difficult. Whilst the following observations have nothing to do with their appeal, and one's admiration for them, I suspect that many would agree that Jeremy Paxman was not a theatrical artist, when presenting 'University Challenge'. He might well be classed as an entertainer,
and a performer but I very much doubt as a theatrical artist. Exactly the same would apply to John Humphrys, the presenter of Mastermind. Christ Tarrant on 'Who wants to be a Millionaire?' is border-line. But Anne Robinson on 'Weakest Link' is indeed probably theatrical.

"The common thread then to Bruce Forsyth, Ant and Dec and Anne Robinson is that they are all putting on one or another form of act. Everything is a performance. And to my mind Richard and Judy share that attribute. Their act was and is to perform the role of the informal chatting husband and wife team, constantly trying to entertain, and making their personality and performance the
core of the programme that they presented. And that makes them 'theatrical artists'.”