Natasha Kaplinsky, Strictly Come Dancing champion, is new British Board of Film Classification chief

From salsa to censor! Natasha Kaplinsky, early champion of Strictly Come Dancing, is new chief of British Board of Film Classification

Strictly Come Dancing champion Natasha Kaplinsky is to become one of the country’s top film censors.

Former BBC newsreader Miss Kaplinsky, who also worked for Sky News and ITV News, has been named as the new president of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).

In the role, the 50-year-old, who was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to Holocaust commemoration, will each month chair the board of classification, which oversees decisions on the most ‘complex and controversial’ of cases. She will also chair the Advisory Council on Children’s Viewing.

The BBFC, which provides age ratings for film and other visual content such as DVDs, said Miss Kaplinsky would be bringing a ‘high-level approach and independence to difficult cases and policy issues’.

Former BBC newsreader Miss Kaplinsky, who also worked for Sky News and ITV News, has been named as the new president of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

Miss Kaplinsky has less experience in the type of work the BBFC does than her predecessor. Outgoing president Patrick Swaffer worked as a legal adviser to the body ‘for many years’ before he took on his current role.

But the BBFC said Miss Kaplinsky, who has worked with several charities, was ‘passionate about issues affecting children’s rights and welfare’.

Miss Kaplinsky became the UK’s highest-paid newsreader in 2007, when she signed a reported £1million-a-year deal to leave the BBC and become the face of Channel 5 news.

Miss Kaplinsky (front) was the first winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, along with professional dance partner Brendan Cole (back)

Miss Kaplinsky (front) was the first winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, along with professional dance partner Brendan Cole (back)

This came after she was the first winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, along with professional dance partner Brendan Cole. Miss Kaplinsky said: ‘For over a century, the BBFC has done fantastic work to help families have a positive viewing experience, wherever and however they watch content.

‘It’s crucial that children’s welfare is at the forefront of policy decision-making and this is central to the BBFC’s efforts in the online safety space.’

She added: ‘The challenges that young people face now in the UK are greater than ever before – and I am committed to giving voice to their needs. I can’t wait for the opportunities that this next chapter will bring.’ The former news presenter, who is president of Barnardo’s and an ambassador for Save The Children, will provide a ‘sounding board’ to BBFC chief executive David Austin.

The BBFC celebrates its 110-year anniversary in November.

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