BBC axe daily Derbyshire show
THE Victoria Derbyshire show has been axed, it was revealed last night.
The BBC current affairs weekday series, hosted by the award-winning journalist, first began in 2015.
Media editor at BBC News, Amol Rajan, broke the news on Twitter.
He said: “The Victoria Derbyshire show is coming off air. I understand @BBCNews is committed to Victoria plus the (award-winning) journalism of the show.
“Cost of doing it on linear channel when savings are needed deemed too high. BBC declined to comment ahead of an announcement next week.
“The show won awards at the RTS and from BAFTA. Victoria nominated for Best Presenter 4 years in a row – and won once. Digital impact was huge. Show was designed to reach audiences the BBC struggles to connect with, and it did – online.”
Screened at 10am on BBC2 and the BBC News Channel every weekday, the show focuses on original stories, audience debates and exclusive interviews, as well as breaking news.
The BBC and broadcaster Victoria are yet to comment on the news.
But fans were quick to share their dismay. Commissioning editor for
Channel 4’s Dispatches, Louisa Compton, said: “An organisation that values original journalism and underserved audiences should not be doing this. It’s madness.
“VictoriaLIVE consistently breaks huge stories, has won countless awards including a BAFTA and has broken new ground. Plus it has an outstanding team and presenter.”
One fan posted on Twitter: “This is unacceptable. It is one of the best programmes on BBC.”
Joining the chorus, another fan said: “Such a shame – Victoria is brilliant, especially when interviewing people who have experienced tragic or traumatic situations. She obviously doesn’t socialise with the right people.”
The broadcaster had a very public battle with cancer in 2015 and in November opened up about her secret battle with anxiety and depression.
Interviewed in front of more than 500 business leaders at Women Mean Business Live in London, she revealed she had suffered two bouts of depression which left her anxious, unable to sleep and “absolutely knackered.”
The first occasion was when she was broadcasting on BBC Radio Five Live, and the second came early last year, exactly a decade later.