The Great BBC Grudge puts potters at risk of being fired

SHIRTY How Piers might look in Spurs top

ORUSSELL Howard has been to see how Liberia is rebuilding itself with Comic Relief’s help after the country was declared free of Ebola last June.

He met Armah, an 11-year-old lad returning to school after losing his father to the disease.

Russell says: “I’m no expert on Liberia after my few days there, but what I do know is that, in times of crisis, lending a hand is absolutely always the right thing to do.”

You can read all about Russell’s visit in his own words at mirror.co.uk and see the full film tonight on BBC1. ver on BBC2 last night Sara Cox announced: “It’s the final day of The Great Pottery Throw Down.” She meant the final day of this latest series – but will it be the final day ever?

The signs aren’t good. Despite pulling in respectable ratings of around three million every week I’d say its chances are almost as brittle as those hanging porcelain lamps created by this year’s winner Ryan.

Why? Well, just like The Great British Sewing Bee – which has yet to be recommissioned by the BBC – TGPTD is made by Love Productions. Yes, THAT Love Productions. Those rotters who had the cheek to sell The Great British Bake Off to the highest bidder. Hopefully the BBC’s sensitive TROUBLE BREWING Sara & judges REBUILDING dears are just having a collective sulk and they will re-order both shows eventually.

If they don’t it will be the viewers that lose out. These shows might not be exactly my cup of tea but I can appreciate the craft on display.

They also bring weekly joy to millions of licence fee payers and, unlike Bake Off, I fear they would struggle to find a home elsewhere.

Which will probably send millions of ladies scurrying to find alternative sources of gratuitous topless shots of unbelievably welltoned athletes. That’s not sour grapes, by the way. I’m sure resting Dancing On Ice pro Sylvain Longchambon works out hard for the money shot. And I’m certain last night’s lingering close-ups were as ABSOLUTELY VITAL to that “torso sculpting” challenge as toplessness was to Poldark’s scything technique. Yeah, right. If you believe that you’ll believe BBC executives don’t hold grudges.