BBC gardener 'sacked for drunken rant'

BBC gardener Daphne Ledward has been sacked after she was allegedly drunk and abusive at a nature weekend.

Ledward, who was broadcasting from the drinks reception at the event, had expressed concerns about the wellbeing of her five greyhounds and accused guests of killing them.

The dogs were later found by her husband John Hands, the Daily Mail reports.

A source said: "She was very loud, drunk and abusive in front of families and small children. She just went berserk. It was highly embarrassing for everyone who witnessed what happened."

The horticulture expert was sacked by BBC Radio Lincolnshire after it received three complaints.

Ledward said: "I made the mistake of having a few glasses of wine at a drinks welcome evening and I behaved disgracefully.

"I was very much more the worse for wear than I would have liked, and when the dogs escaped once more I behaved appallingly."

However, she added that she had apologised to those involved and should be given a second chance by her employer.

She said: "Thinking about Jonathan Ross, it did cross my mind that there's one rule for the rich and one for the poor."