Is anyone able to recommend a good french online programme (for free) for  intermediate/advanced level.  All my french friends like BBC learning for learning English,and I wonder if there is the equivalent for improving my French.  I've searched and searched but not seemed to find anything suitable.  Many thanks.

For intermediate/advanced, these are good:

http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/enseigner-apprendre-francais/accueil_apprendre.php

http://www.rfi.fr/lffr/statiques/accueil_apprendre.asp

and this one for all levels:

http://www.tolearnfrench.com/

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.  Really helpful

"Coffee Break French" is a good series of podcasts. There is some very useful material on www.french.about.com including a "word of the day", a "verb of the week" and loads of lessons and quizzes for all levels.

you could also try livemocha, italki or duolingo etc. You find a partner then chat for as long as you arrange, half in your language, half in theirs. Great for free conversational practice. Google Francais Langue Etrangere and you'll also find lots of exercises. I like Point du FLE myself. 

You won't learn French from an internet site. BEST way is to watch French TV every day, read the paper, spend time around French people

Don't totally agree with Cookie101, don' disagree either, you do need some kind of lessons, and why not online?  It would be best imho to take classes, as you are explained certain things and corrected when needed.  However, books, online and classes are a plus and then of course on top of all that, watch the French television, listen to French music, and mingle with the French!  Good luck!