I guess I'll try and help you guys with this:
1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Go to Tools > Internet Options > Connections > Lan Settings
3. Under Proxy settings, put a proxy address and the port number
Note that this is an open proxy address. Use only to watch iplayer and not to check emails/online banking/or any other secured sites
4. Go to http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer
5. Enjoy, although it will be slow

For IP addresses, try googling "proxy uk"
If an address doesn't work, try another

Adele, drop me a PM when you get a bit nearer to coming over and I'll send you some instructions

I will pm you PAul if ypu dont mind oh already there and I land on 10th!
Samba - I was with you til pont 3!! what is a proxt address??

Bells. I can help you with point 1
2 and onwards lost me

Sorry if it's not clear. Proxy addresses are IP addreses. You can get lists of them if you google "proxy uk". Since there are thousands of them, all from different countries, you need to pick one which is based in the uk.
One working IP address is 89.234.27.15 with port 80. Try it using my instructions above and iPlayer should work from anywhere in the world.

Now you see it would all make perfect sense if I knew what an IP address was!!!
I just turn on the pc , hit internet explorer or firefox and it all appears like magic!!

LOVE YOU!

Could you PM me your method as well? If there's anything that helps speed things up over proxy surfing, I'm definitely interested.
Thanks

Will do bless you, you're an angel! Thanks again :-)

One of the best proxy sites I have found is http://www.samair.ru/proxy/type-09.htm, its all a matter of trial and error, after a short while you get a good idea which one's to use.
But as I stated in an earlier post if you wish to pay (about c$ 13 mnth) then there is always a VPN (virtual private network) this gives you access to BBCi player plus many other UK tv sites with little or no hassle (they do work very well). Each of the sites has an explanation how to set one up. Somebody has already tested and gave a list of sites in an earlier post, give it a view.

I tried many proxies several weeks ago. Got it working twice, but the next day they were dead. Believe me, proxies are bad. You are opening your computer to all kinds of attacks. If you get it working - never do serious things like online banking on this computer, even after you reverse the Internet settings back.

If you are no techie, it works like this: your PC asks some other server - proxy - to deliver content from BBC. This other server reads data from BBC and passes it back. You never know what it does with data in the meantime. You may get easily infected with all kind of stuff. This URL posted above, with proxies list - it's a good one, I used it too. But did you notice it's from Russia? Think about it.

The only reliable way, to my mind, is using VPN service from some more or less known company, not located in China/Russia etc. Or wait for BBC to realize the big revenue opportunity and allow us using iPlayer on subscription basis.

In general, that's good advice, make sure you have a good firewall, good anti-virus and good anti-spyware software installed and up to date.
Also consider using some proxy management software so that you only use the proxy to access specific sites and not for everything.

I found a good VPN service for under 10USD per month. I have been able to use BBC iplayer and Zattoo with it with no problems so far.
It is provided by www.consult-here.com/vpn.html.
Looking forward to watching Dr Who on Christmas day.

ooh - does this just work with the pc / lap top you buy it on or for the whole house / wifi netty thing - yup - am not a techie!

Works with wifi laptop, PC, in fact both my desktop and laptop access the internet wirelessly.
I connect my laptop to my 37" TV for viewing, picture is not the best but quite acceptable. Zattoo allows live viewing which is quite uncanny here in australia.