From Noel Clarke to Gregg Wallace, why is the UK still battling a toxic TV culture?

Power imbalances and precarious employment for production staff mean whistleblowing remains a rarity

Support lines. Slogans. Culture reviews. Even a new standards body. The pipeline of toxic behaviour haunting Britain’s television industry in recent years has led to numerous attempts to end the grim assumption among its workers that little can be done to challenge the inappropriate actions of powerful figures.

Recent initiatives have shown signs of reducing bad behaviour. However, in an industry that still talks about “above the line” talent – referring to the leading creative figures and cast in a show – many working in the production world fear it still suffers from a power imbalance that fosters unacceptable treatment and deters whistleblowing.