BBC spends over £500k restoring controversial statue by sculptor who sexually abused his daughters
The BBC has restored a controversial statue made by a sculptor who sexually abused his own daughters on its London HQ.
The Grade II*-listed sculpture by Eric Gill was damaged in attacks in 2022 and 2023 when it was vandalised and struck with a hammer.
It depicts Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeare’s The Tempest – and has been on display at the BBC’s Broadcasting House headquarters since 1933.
The corporation revealed that the total cost of its restoration and protective work came to £529,715 – but stressed it covered the costs itself rather than claiming them back through insurance.
A new protective screen has been installed in front of the sculpture “to avoid future damage”, according to a BBC spokeswoman.
The restored artwork now features a QR code linking to information about the building’s history, Eric Gill, and details of the sculpture’s restoration – changes which were made in consultation with Historic England and Westminster City Council.
Eric Gill was among the most prominent sculptors of the 20th century, but after his death in 1940, his diaries revealed he had sexually abused his daughters.
This revelation, which came to light in the late 1980s, has made Gill “a controversial character”, according to Historic England.
The statue has since become a focal point for debate about separating artistic works from their creators’ personal conduct.
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In 2023, David Chick from Northamptonshire allegedly scaled up scaffolding at Broadcasting House and struck the statue with a hammer.
BBC staff reported hearing a man shouting “paedophile” during the attack.
Chick was already facing trial for previous damage to the same statue.
In March 2025, a judge released him on conditional bail, ordering him not to go within 100m of the statue.
His new trial is set for May this year at Southwark Crown Court.
She added: “When the building was subject to serious criminal damage, on two occasions, there were no easy options for addressing the destruction caused.”
The BBC said it decided to repair the facade “in line with the building’s Grade II* status” after seeking expert advice and opinion.
Historic England CEO Duncan Wilson said: “We recognise that since details of Gill’s abusive behaviours came to light in the late 1980s, he has understandably become a controversial character.”
Wilson added that he backed “providing interpretation which explores this complex history”.
He described it as consistent with Historic England’s approach of encouraging “thoughtful, long-lasting and powerful (re)interpretation of contested statues and sites – which keeps their physical context but adds new layers of meaning and understanding”.