The public interest vs what the public is interested in

Here in Manila, I have had BBC World on the TV in the background. They have just had a story about the apparent breakdown in relations between Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.

I cannot see any conceivable public interest in this story.  There is no reason for anybody apart from the people themselves to know the details of their marriage.  Of course, the public may be pruriently interested, but that is a different thing altogether.

As a public service broadcaster, the BBC has no business broadcasting this rubbish.