Update

Czesc all.

Many thanks for the kind comments yesterday; not just about my blog, but expressing support for the good man himself. His agent Tim Reed, released this statement yesterday:

"I'm shocked that due to restructuring the Met Office have taken the decision to remove Tomasz from any on air presence. Tomasz and I are still waiting for feedback from the Met Office as to why he hasn't been chosen to remain in the broadcasting team. Nobody at the BBC has ever expressed any dissatisfaction to either Tomasz or me about the standard of his work."
Tim Reed Management

I have praise for the Daily Mirror today, who reported the news without any snide remarks. In fact they were charming about him: Calling him a "hunk" (damn right!), stating he was a "rising star" and recognise his "cult" status. They were also matter-of-fact about Attitude and his 'incidents' in the past. So good on Tom Bryant.

Shame the commenters on the story can't be as charming, one doubting his status as a "hunk". Oh dear! So what if has an agent-- it's Tomasz who pays for that-- not the BBC! Besides, Fiona Bruce doing Antiques Roadshow doesn't make her any less of a newsreader. On a side-note, I was intrigued to see the Mirror reporting that five presenters are going too-- who are the other two I wonder?

I was slightly disappointed with The Independent, who said that Tomasz "has built up a cult following despite a series of on-screen gaffes". I suspect the journo who wrote that, doesn't appreciate that the way Tomasz deals with his slip-ups, is the reason he is adored: He's not afraid to laugh at himself, and encourages to others to do so (plus he does such an excellent job the rest of the time). To be fair, the article does call him "popular", and points out his TRIC award.

Pink News have also reported on it, rather unkindly listing all his "gaffes" (although I can't take any a publication seriously, that uses that ghastly term "the gay community"). However at least they conceded the fans were angry at the decision.

Unsurprisingly Sky News concentrate on the negatives, not unlike Mr Murdoch to bash the Beeb of course! I wonder if they reported on Adam Boulton's rant at Alistair Campbell, or Kay Burley's controversies with such zeal?
.

Although kind towards Rob McElwee and Phil Avery (fair enough), The Daily Telegraph was probably the meanest of the lot towards The Schaf. I quote: "Like the early mist that burns off as the sun strengthens, he will leave behind an ill-defined impression on the viewer's memory, apart from having once been caught on camera making a rude gesture". Really? What about his huge Fbk following, this blog, Youtube clips and the award?

I think on many a person's mind, he has left a very nice impression (especially that with Attitude shoot!).It's amazing how many people seem to be under the impression that Msrs McElwee and Avery are "proper" meteorlogists, when all the BBC national weather forecasters have degrees in meteorology. Also the BBC forecasts talk about the jet-stream and isobars; Tomasz certainly does, as my blog has shown frequently.

Still, somebody at the Daily Torygraph has some brain-cells to rub together, and this nice column shows

On a brighter note, ATV Network was charitable about Tomasz, especially over the Middle Finger saga. The article also talks of his popularity and "down to earth approach". Not only that, it features three highly supportive messages posted on the Facebook site, suggesting it sums up the prevalent mood. Shame that a commenter called "thepark" spits vitriol at him beneath it, all that bile has obviously given him/her a selective memory and the inability to use capital-letters or punctuation correctly. I'm sure you lovely Schaffanatics can can put him/her right, eh?

Overall I think it's a shame that so many reports and people seem to be concentrating on his "gaffes" all the time, and trying to knock him. The irony is most reports have concentrated on Tomasz; why would they do that, if he isn't popular? I don't mean any disrepect to Phil Avery or Rob McElwee when I say that, by the way.

It's as if he blunders all the time, and they ignore the rest of his forecasts: Engaging, intelligent, good-humoured and cheerful (yes and handsome!)-- the things that make him popular. They ignore the fact that other presenters have had blunders; where's the vitriol for Laura Tobin, after her mobile phone incident? Or Richard Edgar for talking of "shitty weather"?

And I note nobody has mentioned Tomasz's charity bike-rides in these articles; without the help of his fans, he wouldn't have raised such huge amounts of money for good causes, out of all his trouble. Or that talk he did at East Sheen Library.

I can only imagine some bitter journalists and internet trolls feel threatened by somebody who is stunningly good-looking, popular and charismatic-- I really hope Beeb bosses don't pay much attention to them. We have seen popular presenters (on shows well-suited for them) moved on, because of sour bosses. I hope Tomasz doesn't become one of those victims.

I, and doubtless my many readers, will support you Tomasz-- whatever happens.

Hello, good evening and bollo...

For some reason, I got a lot of texts and emails about The Schaf today! In case you're wondering what I'm driving at, a hint...




Granted it certainly wasn't a professional thing to do... yeah and somebody of his calibre ought to know better with his experience of live telly, I can see why people may take issue with this particular incident.

However I did find the incident amusing {ii}, especially in the context of his and Simone's banter. As Tomasz once commented to Jane Hill, there's always banter between him and Simone-- "but no hard feelings". This was clearly an accident, and poor Tomasz looked mortified when the camera cut to him mid-gesture! He did try to valiantly cover his tracks by feigning scratching his chin, alas too late.

Given that Tomasz is a popular presenter (TRIC award, cult following, dozens of visitors daily to my blog), it's inenvitable that a backlash will thence occur-- no doubt aided and abetted with glee by sundry insecure fire-and-brimstone types out there. Especially since Tomasz previous gaffes have been stuff of legend (with or without my help), some shit-stirring journo or green-eyed Angry of Mayfair can easily Google up his pass 'transgression'

I wouldn't condone what he did, but he's not the first (and won't be the last) to something like that. Anthony H Wilson unwittingly had a foul-mouth rant live on Granada Reports, and went to successfully present for BBC NW/Manchester. I can think of three Loose Women presenters who've sworn live on said show, and they continue on the programme-- and LW continues to be a success.

I wonder if the lesser known weather-presenters would have been subjected to this hysteria-- I think they can (and probably do?) get away it more. I do concede he shouldn't get away scot-free with this, but I hope he doesn't get draconinian treatment for it . He looked genuinely mortified when the camera cut to him, it was accident (albeit careless one) and he doesn't make a habit of it on-camera-- he's good at his job otherwise.

Predicatbly the Daily Wail, Daily Mirror, Daily Telegraph and Murdoch outlets are having a field day with his, not like them to let a bit of Beeb-bashing to pass them by. No doubt Dirty "new owner of Five" Desmond will gladly join in tomorrow, if he can find space between all the Diana conspiracy stories (she's still deceased by the way).

And of course the Daily Heil has already had a pathetic pop at Tomasz, when he posed for Attitude one of these stories where an "insider/source" (IE a journo making it up) bitched about him. Added to that, we know how the Daily Hate Mail likes to vindictive about men like Tomasz {i}

It is heartening to see that the comments on the story (on those papers' websites) have been largely forgiving. Isn't it weird how people got on their high horse and denigrated Tomasz for his harmless irony with the Petal incident with Simone, yet are fine with his flicking his middle finger at Simone? Beats me.

I really hope Beeb bosses aren't draconian with him: Last I looked, the incident just garnered just seven complaints with the Beeb-- and an Ofcom spokesman said no complaints had been filed. May I suggest a suitable punishment Beeb bosses? I'll come round and slap his legs. Or he should be forced to the weather naked


Of course there are worse presenters out there...



Tomasz did have some other incident-free broadcasts today, with his talk of "milky sunshine"-- I'm intrigued to know what he means about a "useable day" though? Here he is, in more uncontroversial territory (not sticking his middle finger up to Sc____nd). Mr Fish is Mr Steam eh?


{iii}

Ah well... I love Tomasz if nobody else does [haha]. Swearing live on-air aside, you are a breath of fresh air Tomasz, please don't change... nice to have a presenter with personality, and who doesn't patronise us. He certainly is cool!


PS: Official comment from the man himself

This morning, prior to a live weather bulletin, I made a gesture off camera joking with my fellow presenters and without warning the camera went live to the weather studio. I am very sorry for any offence that might have been caused by my actions.

No offence taken here chief. Since it's you Tomasz, I'll let you off.


{i} Readers overseas may want to Google "Stephen Gateley"+"Jan Moir"+"Dail Mail". Or not
{ii} He really ought have used to fingers instead of one, can't beat an Anglo-Saxon salute
{iii} Thanks to Terratec, least the swearing didn't offend you