Comedian Romesh Ranganathan received payment to lead a BBC promotional campaign featuring nearly 100 celebrities, according to reports. Ranganathan fronted a three-minute film centered on the question, “What has the BBC ever done for me?” The campaign, which aimed to highlight the broadcaster’s impact, was aired over the past weekend.

While Ranganathan was compensated for his role, other participating public figures reportedly took part without payment. The film showcased a broad array of personalities from various fields, all united in promoting the BBC’s contributions to audiences.

The initiative appears to have been designed to bolster public support for the broadcaster amid ongoing discussions about its funding and future direction. The star-studded campaign emphasizes the BBC’s cultural and societal influence, although specific details about the total number of contributors and their individual involvements have not been fully disclosed.