David Bellamy backs Chiles over beard

David Bellamy has claimed that the BBC should withdraw its order for Adrian Chiles to shave.

The bearded botanist, who has regularly appeared on programmes for the corporation, insisted that bosses were wrong to put pressure on Chiles over his facial hair.

Yesterday, it was reported that executives had instructed Chiles to shave because they felt his new hairy look was "inconsistent" with his hosting role on The One Show.

However, Bellamy told The Sun: "The BBC should leave him alone. I don't think he should get rid of it. It's getting colder, he'll need that beard."

He added: "I've worn a beard all my life. It's meant to be there, why else would it grow?"

Justin Lee Collins and Noel Edmonds have also recently supported Chiles's right to wear a beard.