Derbyshire devastated by not being told her show was cancelled
VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE says she is “absolutely devastated” that the BBC cancelled her daytime TV series without telling her.
The corporation is facing an angry backlash over the decision to scrap BBC Two’s Victoria Derbyshire Show, which has been part of the daytime schedule for the past five years.
Derbyshire learned the news from a media report on Wednesday and it was confirmed yesterday by the BBC’S head of news, Fran Unsworth, who told staff in an email: “Times of change are never easy.”
At the same time, the BBC announced that it is to launch a series produced by Angelina Jolie, the actress, teaching young people how to spot “fake news”. It will be funded by the licence fee and Microsoft.
Derbyshire opened yesterday’s show with a defiant message: “We are still here telling your stories and covering the issues that are important to you in your life. And do you know what? We don’t give up.”
Later, she tweeted: “I’m unbelievably proud of what our team and our show have achieved in under 5 years – breaking tonnes of original stories (which we were asked to do); attracting a working class, young, diverse audience that BBC radio & TV news progs just don’t reach (which we were asked to do); & smashing the digital figures (which we were asked to do).
“I’m gutted particularly for our brilliant, young, ambitious, talented team – love ’em. And for all those people we gave a voice to. Love them too.”
The show, which has won several awards for its investigative journalism and gained traction on social media but failed to pull in big ratings, will end later this year.
In her email, Unsworth praised the programme’s journalism. She called Derbyshire “a hugely talented and engaging presenter” and said she will continue to be a central part of the BBC News team.
“However, audience behaviours are changing. Linear television viewing is declining, and as we progress with our £80m savings target, it is no longer cost-effective to continue producing the programme on television.”
Both Tory and Labour MPS criticised the decision.