The march of red tape and regulations may be concerning many on Earth but the BBC have taken it to another level (or should that be world) after telling its star astronomer not to look for aliens – as it breaches their health & safety guidelines.
Cox divulged that top mandarins within the Corporation had blocked his bid to try and communicate with a newly discovered planet, fearful that its denizens may have answered back.
The experiment was to have formed a key plank of the popular BBC2 show, Stargazing Live, which had identified Threapleton Holmes B as a promising target for the Jodrell Bank radio telescope.
Top brass at the BBC swiftly knocked the plan on the head however after officials claimed it breached health and safety regs.
Speaking to BBC6 Music Cox said he was told: “…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.
“(I said), “You mean we would discover the first hint that there is other intelligent life in the universe beyond Earth, live on air, and you’re worried about the health and safety of it?”
Beeb bosses were also berated for requesting that a prize be given to any viewer who successfully identified signs of life on Mars. Prompting an incredulous Cox to retort: “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?”
A BBC spokesman said: “In making the series there were many light-hearted conversations, one of which was about how different organisations might react to the discovery of alien life.”