BBC bans alien broadcasts in case in case ET tells Earth to fuck off

[Brazen]

Contacting aliens may breach BBC guidelines, Professor Brian Cox told

TV scientist Professor Brian Cox was banned from listening out for alien life on a live show – in case contacting extra-terrestrials was a breach of BBC health and safety guidelines.

Prof Cox said that during his show, Stargazing Live, he wanted to point the Jodrell Bank radio telescope at a planet discovered by two amateur astronomers.

He told BBC 6 Music DJ Shaun Keaveny: 'The BBC actually said "you can't do that because we need to go through the regulations and health and safety and everything, in case we discover a signal from an alien civilisation".'

Keaveny said: 'The idea intelligent life could be discovered and it might swear and that's why we wouldn't broadcast it – it's such a brilliant BBC thing, isn't it?'

Prof Cox, who was in Things Can Only Get Better group D:Ream, said the corporation managers were also worried they might have to give away a prize if a viewer found signs of alien life.

'This year we were thinking of doing something about Mars,' Prof Cox said on Keaveny's breakfast show.

'Someone from the BBC said to me "Would there have to be a prize if someone discovered it?".' He said he had responded: 'What do you mean? You're going to say to someone, you discovered the first evidence for alien life beyond Earth – and here's a book voucher as well? You're going to go down in history with a Nobel prize – book tokens or Nectar points?'

A BBC spokesman said: 'In making the series there were light-hearted conversations, one of which was about how different organisations might react to the discovery of aliens.'

Stargazing Live co-host Dara O Briain tweeted: 'Some comedic license from Brian here. We still did it live on-air; and heard nothing, sadly.'

Gratuitous Brian Cox photo here:

[garbon]

Is Brian Cox a lesbian?

[CountDeMoney]

Didn't know he was in Point Break, either.

[Neil]

Remember that episode he did when he travelled through history with Alex Winter to kidnap historical figures?

[Brazen]

He can be my lesbian Keanu any day

I tried to find one of him looking a little less duuuude-ish, but could only come up with a bit greyer, same smug grin.

[garbon]

Yeah no.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Remember that episode he did when he travelled through history with Alex Winter to kidnap historical figures?

Wasn't that a 70's or 80's kid sci fi series called Exlploorers?