Controversial Kidney Show Is A Hoax
Sky News
June 1, 2007
A controversial Dutch reality TV show featuring a contest to win a kidney was a hoax, producers Endemol have admitted.
The Big Donor Show was supposed to have featured a terminally-ill woman choosing a recipient for her kidneys.
However, at the last minute the programme’s producers, who also make Big Brother, revealed on air that the woman starring on the reality show was a healthy actress.
But the contestants trying to win the kidneys are genuine and are still in need of organs.
All knew the programme was a hoax before they agreed to participate.
Programme makers Endemol said their show was intended to focus on the shortage of donor organs in the Netherlands. Read the whole Sky News story here.
Read about the initial outrage on media.guardian.co.uk and iol.com