Investigation into BBC porn prank

THE BBC and Wolves are investigating how a prankster hid a mobile phone in the Molineux TV studio to play pornographic noises during the pre-match broadcast of Tuesday’s FA Cup tie against Liverpool.

West Midlands police yesterday said that no crime had been committed, after internet comedian Daniel Jarvis — who interrupted England cricket Tests and a Wales v New Zealand rugby international in 2021 by going on to the pitch pretending to be a player — had claimed responsibility for the prank. He was banned from attending sports stadiums during live matches for two years as a result, but appears to have skirted this to plant the phone with a friend. As Gary Lineker started the BBC One coverage, Jarvis called the phone with its porn ringtone sounding as millions of viewers tuned in. The noises left the host and pundits confused and viewers horrified. Jarvis, 34, of Gravesend, Kent, said: ‘All the boxes were open and we just walked in there — there was no one to stop us.’

■ MICK McCARTHY is in talks to take over at Blackpool until the end of the season after they sacked head coach Michael Appleton yesterday following a 10-match winless run in the league. McCarthy, 63, has been out of work since leaving Cardiff in October 2021. Blackpool are 23rd in the Championship, three points from safety, after last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Watford. Appleton’s exit means that 14 Championship clubs have changed manager this season.

■ WALES’ men’s and women’s senior players will be paid the same on international duty after agreeing a new pay deal.

It comes into place immediately and lasts until after the 2026 men’s and 2027 women’s World Cups. It follows similar moves by the English FA in January 2020 and the Republic of Ireland in August 2021.