World

In recent weeks the media regulator Ofcom has begun an inquiry into premium-rate phone lines on TV contests following allegations that some shows have misled callers.
Ofcom has had two complaints about the Joseph choirs competition but as websites are outside its purview it had referred them back to the BBC.
In online forums, comments include: “My respect for the BBC has plummeted beyond belief!” and “The whole thing has been one disaster after another, only hope they apologise on the TV show to the thousands of kids who feel let down.”
A BBC spokesperson said that as well as increasing the website’s capacity to cope with the huge amount of hits it was getting, the deadline had been extended – it ended at 1500BST on Friday 25 May.
“Extras measures were also added on the website including a clarification of how to rate the choirs and a registration system to assist in managing the process.
“Once the verification process has been completed the top twenty, who go forward for judging by the panel, will be announced on Thursday 31 May.”
Joseph was written as a school musical and remains enormously popular with children.
It was first performed in 1968 but it is estimated that there are still nearly 500 school or amateur productions each year in the UK alone.