I don’t need a licence – I have a gun!
THESE TV LICENCE EXCUSES ARE BEYOND BELIEF
Reporter TV Licences – we should all have one if we watch any recorded or live shows but some do try and avoid forking out £147 a year.
TV Licensing says around 94% of British homes have the correct licence but a “small minority” try and evade the charge and offer some spectacular excuses to officers when they are paid a visit.
One of the best (or worst) came from a Newcastle United fan living in South Yorkshire, who found an interesting positive to The Mags’ relegation from the Premier League in the 2015/16 season.
When the licensing officers called, the licence dodger from Rotherham said: “I only watch Premier League football, and as I am a Newcastle fan, I no longer need a TV Licence.”
Well, he’s got no excuse now Newcastle are promoted to the top tier.
According to TV Licensing, other excuses in the north of England included: “It’s only for the dog, it stops him howling when I’m out – I put it straight off when I come back in as there’s nowt on” and “I don’t need a TV licence, I have a shotgun.”
And a man from Middlesbrough claimed he couldn’t pay his licence as he was clogged up.
“I couldn’t get to the shop to pay as I’ve been constipated so missed a few payments,” he told officers.
Watching telly without a licence can land you with a £1,000 fine.
Matthew Thompson, TV Licensing spokesperson in the North, said: “We make every effort to find evaders and although excuses we hear can be ingenious, those we catch still need to buy a licence.
“We offer help to those struggling to buy and would much rather people buy a TV Licence in small weekly or monthly instalments, than face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.”
“A licence is needed not just for watching and recording live television but for watching or downloading BBC programmes on iPlayer.”
A TV Licence costs £147 and can be bought online at tvlicensing.co.uk/info or by calling 0300 790 6071.
The top 10 excuses for not paying a TV Licence, given in the past 12 months, can be found below. TV Licensing says they are all genuine.