[intro theme playing] [director] Standby 2.

Mix through, cue on 2.

[reporter] The BBC's announced the appointment of ex Head of Olympic Delivery, Ian Fletcher, as its new Head of Values.

[radio presenter] Time now for the shipping forecast.

[man] Superimposed.

[beeping] The fact is, Claudia Winkleman is an almost perfect example -of something we currently do well.

-Sure.

-Brilliant.

-The fact is, we should be looking for better ways of doing more of her, not fewer.

-Right, OK. -Like, duh.

[Narrator] Thursday morning at the BBC's New Broadcasting House.

Another day, another damage limitation meeting.

And this morning, it's a one item agenda.

What I don't understand is how this can possibly have happened.

-I know.

-Yes, exactly.

How did we get to this point?

I know, tell me about it.

So, just to be clear, what you're telling us is that Amanda Holden has already signed an agreement in principle.

Yes, I know, yes.

-Right.

OK. -Can I just say, guys, I never thought we'd end up in this situation.

-Brilliant.

-Never thought it.

No, well, clearly.

[Narrator] Despite the offer of an exclusive contract worth th--[bleep] million pounds from rival broadcaster S-[bleep]--y, the BBC were close to persuading Claudia Winkleman to stay and develop On Your Bike, as a way of being taken seriously, until they discovered that they've also been developing an almost identical show with Amanda Holden as presenter.

[Ian] I mean, it feels to me like what needs to happen is someone needs to phone Amanda up -and basically just explain to her.

-Sure.

-Fabulous.

-Yes, exactly.

-Right.

-It's a no-brainer.

I gotta say, I agree, Ian.

So sorry, so when you say explain to her... Well, I don't know, I mean just be honest with her.

-Right, yes.

-You know, like, tell her the truth.

-Brilliant.

-The truth.

-Exactly.

-You never know.

-It might work.

-Yes, exactly, yes.

[Narrator] Everyone knows that with Claudia having promised [bleep] a decision by the end of the week, the future of Strictly Come Dancing, and therefore of the BBC itself, could well be hanging in the balance.

-When you say the truth, Ian.

-Yes.

-What exactly are you gonna say to her?

-Yes, interesting.

No, I'm sorry, I'm not doing this.

-Oh, OK. -[Simon] Brilliant.

-I don't mind who does, obviously.

-No, of course.

Can I just say, guys, me neither.

I'm easy.

I mean, there'd be a form of words here, surely.

-Yes.

-Yes, exactly.

A form of words, yes.

Yes, no, very clear.

[Narrator] Meanwhile, elsewhere in the building, it's also a big morning for Izzy Gould.

Hi.

-Hi.

-How are you feeling?

Yeah, good.

[Narrator] With the BBC facing a demand for a million and a half pound donation to charity, following its use of the film star Hugh Grant's image to promote a BBC product without his consent, she's been summoned to the Director General's office to explain.

[Jack] So, do you know who else is gonna be there?

No.

Right.

Apparently, it's like the more he smiles, -the bigger the trouble you're in.

-Really?

-Apparently.

-Right.

OK, well that's-- That was a joke, all right?

Oh, OK.

Right.

I just came to say good luck.

Yes, thanks.

You'll be fine, OK?

-Yes.

-It's simple.

So they issue a formal, like, a groveling apology.

"We're really sorry, got ... by a junior employee, in this case also an idiot, who has since been removed from the post."

-Right.

-That's what happens now.

OK?

Promise me you're not gonna do something stupid, 'cause really, this has gone far enough.

[David] Sorry, guys, but when you say words, Ian.

No, look.

I'm really sorry.

-Christ's sake.

-OK, so I'm bored of this now.

Yeah, me too.

[Narrator] Back in Mary Berry, the search is still on for the best form of words to explain to Amanda Holden that there's only one BBC Bike and that she's not going to be riding it.

OK, so here's the thing with this.

All right, here we go.

It's not brain science, OK?

-Brain science?

-What?

OK, so as of now, Amanda has signed, like, an agreement in principled, whatever.

-Yes.

-An agreement in principle.

Sure, exactly.

So, what you do is you just offer her a ridiculously small fee, OK. -Right.

-Brilliant.

Yeah, presumably we've done that already.

-Yes, we have, Neil, yes.

-No, sure, I get that.

I just mean, like, crazy small, like zippons, right?

-Oh, OK. -So, how much are you offering her now?

-How much?

-Sure, how much?

I just said that.

Well, I don't know, I think we were talking about something like [bleep] thousand.

-[bleep] thousand.

-I think so, yes.

-Christ.

-OK, so, you offer her, -like, [bleep].

-[bleep]?

-Sure.

-What, per episode?

No, for the--for the whole thing, whatever.

-Really?

-[bleep] thousand?

What, she's getting like [bleep] whatever for Britain's Got Talent, right?

-Right, to think.

-Yes, exactly.

Tw--[long bleep] thousand?

-At least [long bleep], yes.

-Jesus.

Yeah, so Amanda's like, "I really wanna do this, and I know these guys don't have any money," but she can't accept [bleep] thousand.

-Brilliant.

-I mean, her agent won't let her.

-Right, well.

-Oh, my God, Siobhan.

-It's a slam dunk.

-Fabulous.

-That's one way of doing it, I suppose.

-Yeah.

-It totally is.

-OK. Amanda... tick.

And as I say, if that doesn't work, you can always try the truth.

-Yes.

-Yes.

Yes, no, brilliant.

Goody good.

-Yes, exactly.

-Yeah, great.

[Narrator] Meanwhile, Izzy has emerged from her meeting with Director General Tony Hall and his people about the Hugh Grant affair.

So... how'd it go?

-It was fine.

It was cool.

-So you told them?

-You did the right thing.

-I didn't need to.

What do you mean, you didn't need to?

It's fine, it's all gone away.

What?

[David Attenborough on video] At the southern end of the earth, after four months of total darkness, the sun once more rises over Antarctica.

[chirping] Whoa.

Astonishingly, for both Izzy and for the BBC, there's been some good news overnight in the shape of an intervention from a completely unexpected quarter.

Will.

Oh, yes, Izzy.

Yeah, hi.

-I don't want to disturb you.

-Yeah, no worries, yeah cool.

But I just came from a meeting with Tony Hall.

-Wow, Tony Hall.

-Yes, about, you know... -About the whole... -Yeah.

-The whole Hugh Grant thing.

-Yeah, I know, crap.

-Yeah, no!

But um... -[Narrator] It appears, that no lesser person than Sir David Attenborough himself has now become involved.

Apparently they know each other from the whole, you know, the Worldwide Wildlife thing.

-That's like no way.

-Anyway, um, he--he phoned him, personally, -like in LA.

-No way.

Like, he has his private number and everything.

-No way, that's just like mental.

-Yes, but-- That's like, that's so random, like, I don't know.

-But can I just ask you... -Yeah.

Because the first thing I thought when they told me... Was this something to do with you?

Yeah no--what--no, say again?

-I mean, I know it's mad but-- -Yeah.

Were you involved in this in some way?

-I knew it.

-Yeah, no.

-I knew it was you.

-I dunno, he's such a cool guy.

-Why didn't you tell me?

-Yeah.

-Why didn't you tell me?

-Yeah, I know, crap, yeah.

Will.

Oh, sorry.

Yeah, no, crap.

Yeah, me too, yeah, crap.

[Narrator] It's Friday and the end of another week at New Broadcasting House.

But this isn't so much the end of something as the start of something new.

Tonight finally sees the launch of the BBC's new online platform, BBC Me, and with it the dawn of a future in which BBC content will be uploaded mainly by the same people who then watch it.

-Ah, Anna.

-Yes.

-Morning.

-Yes, exactly, yes.

-How are you?

-Yes, the fact is, I've been trying to catch you up.

[Narrator] With so much change in the air, including the creation of a single new post of Director of Purpose to replace the current posts of Head of Values and Director of Better, there's a lot to thing about for anyone with a folding bike.

[Anna] Fact is, I need to talk to you.

-Yes.

Right.

-Yes.

Well, maybe we should--are you OK with that, by the way?

-Yes, I'm fine.

-Yeah, maybe we should-- -Yes, exactly.

-Maybe we--Oh, careful.

-Ah!

-Oh, right.

Now, are you OK?

-Anna?

-Yes, no.

-Let me have a look.

-Uh, fact is, I'm fine.

Um...

Right, OK. -Ah, here we go, some plaster strip here, so that's good.

-Yes.

And some TCP, or hang on, no, that's eye wash. No, I don't want that.

Yes, no, here's the TCP.

[Narrator] Fortunately for Anna, the BBC has installed state of the art first aid facilities in New Broadcasting House, specially equipped with just this type of folding bike injury in mind.

-How you doing there?

-Yes.

-Really stings, doesn't it?

-Mm.

You're doing really well.

Well, it's certainly a different way to start the morning, anyway.

Yes, the fact is, I need to talk to you.

-Yes.

-Yes.

I mean, I'm assuming-- if this is the whole Director of Purpose thing, I mean yes, -let's have coffee or something.

-Yes.

But I mean, do you wanna just hold your hand out?

Yeah, maybe you wanna just make sure that's really dry before-- Yes, exactly.

No, but I mean, I don't know what to think about it, really.

I mean, there's so much happening at the moment.

I haven't... made a decision yet, if that's what you're asking.

Ah, OK, that looks better, doesn't it.

Yes.

So, no, just to say that, you know, whatever happens, we're both grown ups, so... -Yes.

-That OK?

-Yes.

-So, I don't think-- The fact is, I'm leaving.

-Right, OK. -Yes.

-Well-- -The fact is, I need to talk to you.

Yes, right.

OK. [Narrator] Meanwhile, up on the sixth floor, Will is arriving for work as usual, another busy day of assisting ahead of him.

-Me.

-Me.

Me.

[woman] Me.

[man] Me.

-Me.

-Me.

[Simon] Yes, no, brilliant.

Brilliant.

[Narrator] It's the same day but later, and BBC Head of Brand Siobhan Sharp has come over to New Broadcasting House from Fun Media to take the renewal group through the itinerary for tonight's seminal BBC Me launch.

[Siobhan] So, one minute to midnight.

Uh, we've got a ton of cool people there, -you've got champagne.

-Champagne?

-Sure.

-Brilliant.

OK, prosecco, whatever.

-Yes, please.

-Sure.

It may be the future, but this is still the BBC.

No, sure.

No, I'm good with that.

[Narrator] Siobhan is keen that everyone understands just how important a moment this is in the history of what was once the BBC.

So, one minute to midnight, cue, "Me, Me, Me" on the big screen, um, "BBC Meets You," whatever.

Then countdown to midnight, like countdown to the future, -OK?

-Brilliant Till, like, everybody is like, nine, eight, -seven, six... -Yes.

-...five, four-- -Yes, I think we know how a countdown works, Siobhan.

-Yes.

-Sure, exactly.

Three, two, one.

-Yay!

-Yes, all right.

-Yes, I mean-- -No, no, I've got more.

-Right.

-Great.

So, this is the really cool part.

Um, so, we've done "Me, Me, Me," we've done the countdown, uh, we've done "Yay, it's the future," uh, we've got everybody there, what do we do now?

-Uh... -Don't know.

Uh, no, so you say stuff, right, -and then I tell you the answer.

-Right.

-Ooh... -No, I'm sorry, Siobhan.

I give up.

Please, Miss, can we have a... -We dance.

-Oh, brilliant.

-We dance?

-Sure.

-OK. -Right, that's me out.

Like, it's a party, right?

Um, so we have the world's biggest silent disco.

-Oh, right.

-Silent disco.

Ah, no, fabulous!

And we live stream the whole thing -on BBC Me.

-Right.

-No, honestly.

-I mean, like, how cool is that?

Right.

I mean, is that it, now, or is that... No, sure, we're pretty much done here.

Right, OK. Well, thanks for that, Siobhan.

-Sure.

-Quite a lot to process there.

-Yes, exactly.

-Really?

There so is.

Yes, just to check, I'm assuming Tony's office is happy with all this.

-Sure, totally.

-Right.

-Tony who?

-Tony Hall, Siobhan.

-No, sure.

-Director General of-- -Yes.

-No sure.

Yep.

No, get it, got it.

-No, I'm good with that.

-Right, OK. Well, here's to the future.

Yes, no, honestly, bring it on.

I can't wait.

-Mm, me neither.

-Bagsy dance with you, Anna.

Yes, exactly--the-- n-no, sorry.

-Fabulous.

-Yeah, great.

Hi, Will.

Oh, yeah, hey, yeah, I don't know.

-You off?

-Wh--yeah, I'm off, yeah.

Me too.

OK, cool.

[clears throat] -So, another week.

-Yeah, another week, yeah, cool.

You going to this launch thing later?

Oh, yeah, I don't know.

-You should.

-Yeah.

Everyone will be there, I think.

-Yeah.

-[phone vibrating] Oh, hang on.

Now what's this?

Oh, right, OK.

Sorry, Will.

-That's OK. -Just better just deal with this, I think.

OK, cool.

[news in background] -[Ian] Hi.

-Oh, hi.

Yes.

I was going to reply, but then I thought it was probably quicker just to... -Yes, thanks.

-You OK?

Yes, no, I'm fine.

No, I don't want to keep you.

-No, no.

-Are you going to this thing later on?

-Yes.

Are you?

-Right.

Yes.

Right.

Apparently, we've all got to have fun.

Yes.

Yes, no, it's not official.

I'm not supposed to tell anyone.

-Right.

-But I've got some news.

Right.

-Will.

-Oh, yeah, hey, yeah.

-I was just leaving, actually.

-Yeah, me too.

-I'll come with you, shall I?

-OK, cool.

Yes, so, like... another week.

[Izzy] Yes, another week, yes.

-You s--you going to-- -Jack.

-Hi.

-Wait--yeah, hey, yeah, I dunno.

I'm not gonna ask, OK?

-OK, cool.

-No, we were just-- I don't care, I was just coming to find you.

-To find me?

-It's On Your Bike.

What do you mean, it's On Your Bike?

-I just ran into David Wilkes.

-Right.

It's like he's foaming at the mouth.

[Ian] That's great, Lucy, that's fantastic.

They're not announcing anything official till next week.

Head of Empowerment.

I'm not gonna believe it until I get the email, -or, you know.

-No, congratulations.

-Yes.

-Yeah, that's really...

So hey, so hi, guys.

-Right.

-David.

I know you're busy, I don't want to disturb you.

-Yes, no, we were just-- -I wouldn't bother you at all, but what it is, I think something really bad's happened.

-Something bad?

-And what it is-- -I didn't know who else to tell.

-Right.

[Narrator] Even though it's already been a big week for everyone at the BBC, for those who haven't managed to get out of the building yet, it's just got even bigger.

[David] So, I tried to get a hold of Simon and Anna -but Simon's gone home to change.

-Right, yes.

-And Anna isn't answering any... -Well, no.

-Oh, thank God.

-I found her.

-Yes.

-Hi.

-Lovely Izzy.

-Yeah, hey, yeah.

Yeah, I found him, too.

Yes, no, so what it was, I phoned Amanda to leave her a message, but I got straight through to her.

-which, you know what, I wasn't expecting.

-Right.

[Narrator] In the course of a number of conversations, with both Amanda Holden and her agent, during the course of the day on the subject of a crazy little fee for her BBC 1 Cycling Shorts series, David seems to have somehow succeeded in formally attaching her to the show.

And she's like, "D'you know what, David?

This isn't about money.

-It's not about that."

-Right.

"I've had my fill of Simon's trousers and people juggling dogs or whatever.

I'm done with that."

And her agent's like, "What it is, at this point in her career, this is the perfect fit for Amanda, and she'd like kill to be on the BBC.

-She don't care who knows it."

-Right.

And also, anyway, she wouldn't have it.

And she ended up saying that she was, like, signing the actual contract today -and putting it in the post.

-Right.

-End of.

-OK.

I know, nightmare.

With the clock ticking towards a brick wall, and Claudia Winkleman waiting to hear back from the BBC about On Your Bike, they need to think of something fast, and worse still, something good.

-OK, so break the contract.

-Ah.

-Ah, well.

-Whoa.

No, like, she signed it now.

Yes, she has signed it now.

-I know, that's what I'm saying.

-Genius.

It's fine, people break contracts all the time.

Yes, but they're not the BBC.

-OK, so-- -Well, we are.

-Yes.

-Yeah, we are, yeah.

[Narrator] With other key players having either gone home, gone somewhere else, or left the BBC entirely, those who are left have no option but to roll up whatever sleeves they can find, and try to sit down.

-I mean, Will.

-Yeah, cool, yeah.

-Don't feel you've gotta hang around for this.

-No.

-Yeah, no worries, yeah.

I don't know.

-What?

So, if you are going to be hanging around... -Yeah, 'cause-- -Any chance of doing a coffee run?

-OK. -Well-- -No, Jack!

-I dunno about anyone else.

[David] Don't talk to me about sugar levels, do not get me started.

-OK, cool.

-No, hang on, Will.

-Yeah.

-You were gonna say something.

-Yeah, I don't know.

-No, go on.

Yeah, I dunno, so you could have, like, loads of different programs about cycling.

-Right, yes.

-Great.

Yeah, 'cause at school we had like a whole cycling week.

Right.

-It was pretty cool.

-A cycling week?

Yeah, like in the summer term.

It was like, in history it was, I dunno, like, penny farthing.

-Like, in English we had to write a story about a bike.

-Right.

-Like, in maths it was like, I dunno, like wheels.

-Yes.

Like, in geography we did like China.

Yes, I think we're getting the picture, Will.

Yeah, I know, yeah, me too.

-So what, you mean... -[Narrator] Suddenly, out of nowhere and without trying, it's starting to look as if Will Humphries may have finally found himself in a situation for which he is uniquely qualified.

-Almost like a cycling season.

-A cycling season?

-Yeah, cool.

-Right.

Yeah, cycling season, yeah, cool.

Or like a kind of On Your Bike season but across the whole of the BBC.

Yeah, cool, yeah, the whole of the BBC.

-OK. -Oh, my God.

His school cycling week was no doubt intended to educate, inform, and entertain, as well as to fill time, and by some fluke of circumstance it turns out those were also the original founding principles of the BBC.

[Lucy] 'Cause you could have, uh, a public awareness, -like a health angle as well.

-Yes.

Like, you know, "Getting Britain Moving."

-"Getting Britain Moving."

-"Britain on Two Wheels"?

-"Britain on Two Wheels."

-I suppose you could run Bicycle Thieves somewhere.

-Yeah, cool.

-"Bicycle Thieves."

Yeah cool, with bicycle police chasing them.

-Yes.

-What?

No, I was just thinking in terms of the whole distinctivity thing, suddenly this is starting to sound very BBC.

-Yeah, exactly.

-No, in a good way, I mean.

OK, so how does this play with Claudia Winkleman, then?

-Right, yes.

-If we're promising her an exclusive gig.

-Yes.

-Yeah, I don't know, yeah, good point.

OK, so I don't know, maybe there's a version of this -where you make Claudia the face of the whole thing.

-Yes.

-Oh.

-You know, and you make On Your Bike the flagship show.

-Cool.

-Oh, my God, genius, Ian.

-Well, no.

-Can I just say, guys, is it just me or have we basically just saved the BBC?

-Well... -Cool.

I mean, let's not get too carried away -with this just yet.

-Yeah, no, OK, crap.

[Narrator] Eventually it's later, and excitement is building in the building, as the countdown to the future of the BBC is inexorably underway.

-[music playing] -[people talking] The guest list amounts to a literal who's who of the social media world, together with some dignitaries especially chosen to represent the outgoing world order, such as Fiona Craig from the Department of Culture, Media, and also Sport.

To top it all, BBC Director General Tony Hall himself has arrived in order to be there in person as well as to make some sort of big speech.

[Siobhan] So, um, we put him in there, OK?

Um, we've got a guy with, like, a smoke machine, whatever.

-Right.

-Cool.

-Yeah, yeah.

-With, like, real smoke.

-What?

-We put who in there, Siobhan?

-Brilliant.

-Tony?

-Sure.

-Yeah.

So fun.

We're putting Tony Hall in the TARDIS?

Yes, no, very good.

[Narrator] As the minutes tick away, Siobhan and her Fun creative team are taking Tracy and Simon through some of the fine detail of what's going to happen.

Then it's like, nine, eight, -seven, six... -OK. -Five, four... -Yes.

...three, two, one.

Yay!

-Yes, OK, thank you, Siobhan.

-The door opens.

Yeah!

-Fabulous.

-He comes out.

There's the podium, whatever.

Suddenly he's arrived.

-It's the future.

-Oh.

-Then you've got a speech, right?

-No, really, it's too much.

OK, so not being awkward or anything, Siobhan, but have you actually asked Tony about this?

-He's gonna love this, right?

-Yeah.

-Cool.

-As someone who's worked with Tony closely over the years, and who I don't mind saying I think he respects... -Yes, no, brilliant, Tracy.

-...I am going to say this.

Tony likes to know what he's doing, OK?

-Sure.

-He doesn't like surprises.

-OK, so he's doing this, right?

-OK. -Like, how cool is that?

-No.

It's not a question, right, it's way cool.

QVC.

Fabulous.

Chief Global Content Officer?

-Yes, exactly.

-Right.

[Narrator] Meanwhile, Anna is in the process of taking Ian through some plans of her own.

-And this is LA, is it?

-LA, yes, exactly.

-Right, wow.

-The fact is, it's sunny there.

-I've had enough of rain.

-Yes.

[Narrator] With one eye on which way the wind is blowing, and another eye on the rain, Anna has decided to leave the BBC behind her altogether, and has already landed a senior role with US media giant Amazon in America.

Well, I mean, what can I say?

Congratulations, Anna.

-Yes, exactly.

-That sounds amazing.

Yes, exactly, yes.

[Narrator] Given the responsibilities that will come with her new role, it's vital that she's done as much preparation for life in Los Angeles as possible before she gets there.

-[Anna] Here's the kitchen.

-Right.

The terrace is outside.

-Right.

-Yes.

[Narrator] She's got some photos of a house in Santa Monica which she's happy to share with him.

-And this is the utility room.

-Yes.

There's another shower in there.

-Is there?

-It's nice, isn't it?

-Oh, I mean no, it's really... -Yes, exactly, yes.

-Oh, David.

-Hello, love Lucy.

-Sorry, I didn't see you there.

-Yes, I know.

-Look at you in your lovely dress.

-What?

Uh, no, yes it's just-- Oh, congratulations by the way, -I hear they're in order.

-Oh, thank you... [Narrator] With the future really not that far away now, Anna isn't the only one in the room thinking about what it could possibly hold for them.

Yes, no, 'cause I've got a bit of news of me own, but I promised myself I wouldn't tell anybody.

Right.

What I've said is if you've any sense, -keep it to yourself, David.

-Right, OK. -Well, I mean-- -What it is, and this is absolutely to go no further... -No.

-But I've taken the first step on a very big journey, today.

-Right.

Have you?

-Yes, I have, Lucy, yes.

-The fact is, I need to talk to you.

-Well, yes.

So you keep--I mean, actually, you are doing it.

Yes, exactly, yes.

The fact is, you can come with me.

-Oh, yes.

-You don't need to do this.

-Yes.

-You don't need to be here.

Well, no.

I mean, hang on, just checking-- -you're not serious, are you?

-The fact is, I'm not drunk.

-No.

-They're really keen on you over there.

-What?

Who is?

-The fact is-- We talked about it at interview.

-Talked about what?

-Yes, exactly, yes.

The fact is, we make a good team.

-The fact is, I'm not drunk.

-No.

-Sometimes I think you want to start my life all over again.

-Right.

-The fact is, I feel the same.

-Yes.

What it is, OK... OK, this morning, right... [whispering] I filled in stage one of the Director of Purpose application form -and I sent it off.

-What?

-[normally] I filled in-- -No, I heard you.

-OK. -Director of Purpose?

I know.

I know what you're thinking, Lucy, but do you know what I think it is, though, what it is... -I'm passionate about the BBC.

-Right.

Are you?

Yes, I am, yes.

And d'you know what, -we are living in an era of change.

-Yes.

We are living in a time where, like, -literally anything can happen.

-Mm.

And I'm like, if anything can happen, then, do you know what?

-Might as well be happening to you.

-Yes.

-You mean happening to you.

-Happening to me, yes.

-Yes.

-Yes, I know me, yes.

[Narrator] Meanwhile, as Senior Communications Officer Tracy Pritchard is doing her best to mitigate any surprises that Director General Tony Hall might find himself facing on the way to his big speech, in another part of the room, Will Humphries has got other issues to think about.

-Hi.

-Hi.

This is fun, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Is that for me?

-Oh, I just picked up two just in case.

Well, thanks.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

Here's to David Attenborough.

-Uh, yes.

-Mm.

What a guy.

-Yeah.

-If it wasn't for him, -you would've crashed and burned by now.

-Well-- And all just to protect Forrest Gump.

-Christ.

For God's sake.

-[Izzy] I'm sorry!

-No, I'm sorry.

-No, no fine.

Whatever.

Drink your own bloody prosecco.

-Hi.

-Hi.

-Nice quiet corner.

-Yes, it's--yes.

-Not long to go now.

-No.

-Well, here's to you.

-To?

-To Empowerment.

-Oh, right.

yes.

Congratulations.

And here's to Purpose.

-Right, yes.

-Cheers.

-I hope you stay.

-Yes, well...

I really do.

[Narrator] Meanwhile, as midnight approaches, it's time to put BBC Director General Tony Hall in the TARDIS.

OK, well, he's in.

-Right.

-Cool.

-Right.

-Yes, no, brilliant.

I don't see anything going wrong with this.

Poor Tony looked a bit forlorn in there on his own.

-Yes.

-OK, we're all set here, guys?

-Locked and loaded?

-I've gotta say, I'm not surprised.

He asked me if I'd mind leaving the door open a bit.

I bet he did.

I'm not being funny or anything, but I wouldn't go in there if you paid me.

-Really rather sweet.

-OK, shut up.

And run, "Me, Me, Me."

OK, we've got one minute, guys, one minute.

Right.

Here we go.

-Me.

-Me.

-Me.

-OK, can somebody close that door?

-No.

-Ah, now... No, I'm sorry Siobhan, Tony wants that open.

-Excuse me?

-It's dark in there.

-Dark?

-Yes.

-Well, let's not-- -It's a door, right?

-Yes.

-If it's a door, he comes out of there, duh.

No, I'm sorry, he expressly asked for it not to be shut.

-Let's not-- -OK, we've got 50 seconds here.

-I don't care.

-That door gets closed, or that guy's got nothing to come out of, and we've just launched a train wreck.

I don't care.

You are not shutting Tony Hall in the TARDIS.

-Me!

-Me!

-Right.

-OK. -So... -Brilliant.

For ... sake.

[Anna] No, no, I'm sorry.

-I can't watch this.

-Um... No, this absolutely cannot happen.

No, I mean, it's an interesting one, isn't it?

[door shuts loudly] [crowd] Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one... [applause] [dramatic music playing] [cheering intensifies] [music stops] [Siobhan] Come out of there.

[Tracy] Are you OK?

[Siobhan] Come out of there, come on out!

[Siobhan sighs] -[Tracy] Tony?

-[knocks on TARDIS] Are you actually in there?

[Ian] So yes, uh, BBC Me is now live online and broadcasting to the world.

Yay!

Yes, we may be in the digital future, but we are still the BBC.

Now, we were thinking Tony Hall, our Director General, might want to say something to mark this moment, but currently, as some of you might have already noticed-- and this is typical of him, by the way-- it looks like he's overshot and gone so far into the future that he's left the rest of us temporarily behind.

-Yay!

-We may well get him back at some point, but in the meantime, my name is Ian Fletcher, I'm currently Head of Values here, -and I'll be your waiter tonight.

-Yay!

I'm going to keep this really short.

-I gather we've got some sort of dancing to do.

-Yay!

So, this is indeed a big moment, the start of an exciting new era.

Uh, but we're in this building.

"Nation shall speak unto nation" is what it says above the door.

So, everything changes, but nothing changes.

In fact, what it says is, "Nations shall speak peace unto nations."

-Yay!

-Uh, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

So, yes, so.

Uh, BBC Me, it's you.

Of course we're in an age of great change.

And as time passes, as people come and go, the "me" will change, and the "you" will change, the technology will change, but the thing at the center of it all, the speaking unto each other, that will remain.

And it will be more vibrant, more far-reaching, and more important than it's ever been.

-Thank you.

-Yay!

George!

[Narrator] With the time for speaking now over, it's time for something else.

For everyone, it's time to dance.

["Walking On Sunshine" playing in headphones] ♪ Mm yeah I'm walking on... ♪ [Narrator] At last, after everything that's happened, it looks as if a future of some kind for the BBC is finally underway.

And perhaps, for the moment, that's all that matters.

Perhaps it's enough that the night is still young.

♪ ...feel good, hey All right now ♪ ♪ And don't it feel good, hey ♪ [Narrator] For the moment, tomorrow may seem a long way away.

[clapping and cheering] But exactly who will be in that tomorrow, and what it will hold for them if they are, no one knows.

Only time will tell.