06 January 2023 , 17:06
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A longstanding BBC radio presenter has quit his show following fears of cuts to Black and Asian programmes.
Ed Adoo, host of BBC Three Counties radio, announced he is leaving after seven-and-a-half years presenting the show.
Ed had previously raised concerns over the corporation's plans to make job cuts on local BBC radio stations in England as part of what is being described as the “biggest changes” to local radio.
He said on Twitter he will be stepping away from the show adding that the proposed changes played a part in his decision.
Ed has hosted his show for seven-and-half years (Ed Adoo)Ed told the Mirror: “The recent proposed changes for local radio made me think about where I am currently and what I want to do.
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“It was a difficult decision to make but felt it is the right time to move on. “
The Three Counties host went on to share how he enjoyed giving a voice to the Black community and having local DJs share their favourite “black music tracks” on the show.
He said: “The Sunday night show has enabled black voices across Beds, Herts and Bucks (recently Northamptonshire) to have a voice and share their stories to the community and beyond.
“A major personal highlight was giving local DJs weekly airtime to share their favourite black music tracks of all time.”
Ed had previously said he felt the BBC had “fallen short” of its “diversity mantra.”
In March 2010, the BBC announced plans to scrap its Asian Network as a national service.
However, British Asians signed a letter to the Guardian calling for the network to be saved.
That following year in 2011, the corporation U-turned on their decision.
Ed Adoo who hosts a weekly show on BBC Three Counties Radio said he felt the broadcaster did not value black audiences (Twitter)In 2019 the BBC proposed to axe its Dotun on Sunday programme hosted by Dotun Adebayo - the only black political talk show on radio or television in the UK.
This sparked a petition by the campaign groups BAME Lawyers 4 Justice and BARACK UK.
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It called for the presenter's Sunday night show to be reinstated and for the BBC to increase its diversity broadcasting for London’s black communities.
The BBC then made another U-turn announcing that Dotun on Sunday would remain.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Ed has been a huge part of BBC Three Counties family and we’d like to thank him for entertaining audiences for the last seven years.
“Ed can still be heard on other stations across the BBC.”
The BBC says it remains committed to reflecting and representing the diverse audiences it serves both on and off air.
The corporation added that the latest figures show more Black, Asian and ethnic minority staff are joining the BBC, than leaving, as published in the BBC’s Equality Information Report.