Axed radio presenter says ‘I worry about future of industry’
‘LEAVING NOT ENTIRELY BY CHOICE’
THE row over cuts to BBC Local Radio programming is continuing as an axed freelance presenter voices fears for the future of the industry while a group of MPS, including Diana Johnson and Emma Hardy, prepare to meet BBC director general over the issue.
This week, music legend Ronnie Wood also got in the act, posing with a “keep radio local” sign backstage at the Royal Albert Hall. It followed a one-man protest outside Hull’s BBC building on behalf of David Burns, after popular host “Burnsy” announced the date of his final show.
George Smith, a freelance presenter with the BBC’S Lincolnshire, York and Humberside stations, and BBC Introducing, took to Twitter to air his feelings as he counts down to his final shifts.
His tweet said: “In the seven years I’ve worked at BBC Local Radio, I’ve been lucky enough to do lots of things for the first time. Over the coming months, I’ll start to do things for the last time, as I am moving away from freelance BBC Local Radio work.”
George announced his last Radio York show would be on Wednesday, May 31, with his final Radio Lincolnshire Friday show and BBC Introducing shift in the next couple of months.
“By September I’ll be done and all of my current shows will be regionalised and come from other stations,” he said.
“To be honest, leaving is not entirely by choice – the BBC decided freelance presenters couldn’t apply to keep their shows, only staff presenters could apply initially. As much as I would have loved to continue the work I currently do, the BBC has decided to fill my current shows with presenters on staff.
“I didn’t get an opportunity to put my name forward to even keep my current roles, nor did the vast majority of freelance presenters across local radio, a lot of whom will also be leaving soon. I think that is a real shame.”
The presenter said the past few months had been “awful” for everyone involved and had “left a sour taste”.
He said: “Me signing off after 7 years at BBC Local Radio feels like nothing compared to the colleagues leaving after multiple decades of service … but to me those 7 years have been everything. I’m grateful to the BBC for giving me some incredible opportunities.
“I hope they keep giving people like me – radio enthusiasts from working class backgrounds in places like Scunthorpe – opportunities as incredible as I’ve had. I worry for the industry if it doesn’t.”
David Burns tweeted on Tuesday about a man who turned up outside the BBC building in Hull’s Queens Gardens to protest about the host’s departure. The man – called Ian – brought placards that said “BBC Burnsy Must Stay”.
David, who had earlier announced his final show will be on Thursday, June 1, said: “I’m touched. Ian has come in from Little Weighton to make his point.”
Later in the day, radio DJ Nicky Horne tweeted about the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood. His post showed a picture of Ronnie and said: “Music legend @ ronniewood backstage tonight at Royal Albert Hall. He’s a big fan of @bbc Local Radio and wants it to stay local. Bravo Ronnie. Nx”
MPS have been displaying crossparty unity in their opposition to cuts to BBC Local Radio, with 11 Derbyshire representatives most recently joining Humber colleagues in writing to BBC director general Tim Davie. MPS are due to meet with him in Parliament on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 6.
Hull North MP Diana Johnson has been vocal about the cuts. She was recently pictured with representatives of NFBUK – Voice of Blind People – as they petitioned about the cuts outside Downing Street.
Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy tweeted about the axing of David Burns, saying: “The BBC are making a big mistake. They need to reverse this decision quickly.”
Diana Johnson responded saying: “Absolutely. I have rarely known local people and MPS – cross-party and across the Humber – to be so united on an issue. These cuts to BBC local radio damage not just the BBC, but the communities we serve.”
The BBC decided freelance presenters couldn’t apply to keep their shows
George Smith