'The alien stays': BT gives ET stay of execution

Everybody's favourite extraterrestrial survives his run-in with the Sun...

BT has denied speculation that the company is to rebrand BT Cellnet and run a series of TV ads based on the multi-Oscar winning film Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe. The ad will feature "A bit of Gladiator mixed with in with Star Wars," according to an 'insider' quoted in The Sun newspaper. The same source claims that the ad was filmed in South Africa, directed by Jake Scott, the son of Gladiator director Ridley. BT, however, was having none of it. "They have got hold of the wrong end of the spear," said a spokesman in a carefully worded denial. "The idea of an ad campaign featuring characters from the Gladiator film using mobile phones is insane." He also denied claims in the Financial Times that BT was considering ditching the Cellnet brand name, because it was associated with a disappointing past performance. "We have already announced that BT Wireless [the holding company of BT Cellnet] will be rebranded, but no decision has been taken as to the future of the constituent parts." He did confirm that Cellnet's future is under consideration. "We are continually mulling the future of all our brands," he said.