Beard Liberation Front
23rd June
Contact BLF Organiser Keith Flett @keithbeard.bsky.social
As National Beard Week starts campaigners call for an end to clean shaven tyranny at the top of the BBC
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has heralded the start of National Beard Week 2025 with a call to end the clean shaven tyranny at the top of the BBC.
From the first Director General Sir John Reith (1927-28) to the current DG Tim Davie (2020-) only one DG Sir Mark Thompson (2004-12) has ever had any facial hair. In Thompson’s case he consistently failed to pass the Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Western test which marks the divide between a stubble and a beard.
The campaigners say that while their focus is on beards and therefore clean shaven white men in suits, in reality the position of BBC DG has largely lacked any DEI characteristics.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, at the start of National Beard Week we are calling on BBC Director General Tim Davie to throw away his razor and shaving foam and grow a beard. The end to clean shaven tyranny has to start somewhere.
National Beard Week 2025 23-28th June
Monday 23rd June: Hirsute Personality of the Year: the beard wearer who has made the positive public impact during the year. 2025 winner- Moeen Ali
Tuesday 24th June: Beard Friendly Sandwich of the Year: the sandwich that goes in the mouth not the beard. 2024: Bacon or Facon
Wednesday 25th June: Hirsute Broadcaster of the Year: the broadcaster whose beard has had the most public impact. 2024 Aatif Nawaz
Thursday 26th June: Pogonophobe of the Year: the most notorious beard hater of the year; 2024 Nigel Farage
Friday 27th June: Most Beard Friendly Employer. Not awarded in 2024
Saturday 28th: Beard of Summer 2024: the third of the four quarterly seasonal Awards 2024 Ian McKellen
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