According to reports, presenter Adrian Chiles has been ordered by BBC bosses to shave off his new beard.

He first appeared sporting facial hair on 'The One Show' earlier this month, and he says he won't shave it off, even if the top brass don't like it. He's been quoted as saying: "I was just about to shave it off in our make-up room when Kirsty Young told me to leave it on. Since then Davina McCall has told me she liked it. And Kate Silverton called me over to tell me I looked hot, though I don't think she had her specs on at the time. Women and many gay men have told me it looks good, so it's staying".

However, a no doubt reliable 'source' told The Sun: "Adrian's bush has not gone down well with petty-minded BBC execs. They reckon he doesn't look right, a bit scruffy, like he hasn't bothered to get ready properly".

Fellow beardies Justin Lee Collins, Noel Edmonds and David Blunkett have spoken out in Chiles' defence. Not spontaneously, I should add. The Sun asked them what they thought about the matter.