I AGREE with much of what Mark Smith has to say about necessary BBC cuts ("Yes, the BBC should make cuts – just not these ones", The Herald, January 31).

He did, however, miss an area where cuts should definitely be forthcoming, that is in its portfolio of overpaid, usually male, celebrities.

Before cutting valuable programmes like Newsnight they should be doing away with the Linekers, Shearers, Vines et al.

Let them ply their trade in the commercial arena. This would have an additional benefit of helping solving pay equality issues which continue to drag on causing unnecessary ill feeling.

As Mr Smith says, focus on what is important to us, News.

Ian McNair, Cellardyke.