BBC host in furious rant during final show to blast 'ageist' local radio cuts
Outgoing BBC radio host Sophie Little has slammed the organisation to brand it ‘ageist and ableist’ as her cancelled show has come to an end.
The Radio Norfolk presented a local radio show called Treasure Quest - but the programme, which had run for 15 years, came to an end on Sunday. The show was axed by the BBC as part of a series of cuts to local radio - and the decision clearly left Sophie fuming.
While the last ever episode aired, the flame haired presenter hit out to rage against the Corporation for making the decision to kill the show. Sophie said she wanted to speak up not just for herself, but for the listeners and the others whose careers were being affected by the swift, ruthless fall of the BBC axe.
She fumed: “Something that has always bothered me is when an individual has any kind of platform and they don't use it to speak up for others at a time when they should. Local radio is a vital public service.
Sophie was distraught over local radio budget cuts (BBC)“And it is my opinion that these drastic, sweeping cuts that are taking place to BBC local radio stations all across the country are not only detrimental to anyone that enjoys switching on their local station and hearing their favourite shows, and detrimental to the local communities who value it and use it. Actually these cuts are unbelievably unfair to those who need local public service broadcasting the most.
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"Those who are lonely and isolated, or those who are unable to leave their house, or unable to use the internet, or unable to pay for broadband. Those who not only take comfort from the company of a familiar voice coming out of their radio, but who truly rely on it to keep going. And if you think that sounds dramatic then I wish you could be privy to some of the coversations I've had with listeners in recent weeks that have reduced me to tears.”
With the gloves fully off, she continued by accusing the BBC of failing to follow its own founding mission. She raged: "The BBC's mission, as defined by Royal Charter, is to act in the public interest, serving all audiences. I believe in the BBC and all that it stands for. It is vital, and it is important. But I will say this how I see it: I feel the cuts are ableist, ageist, and they place economic barriers for some people too.
"I felt incredibly nervous to say this, thinking about the many bosses above my head and how this goes against the grain of all of the training I have ever had in the 15 years that I have been here. But I remind myself that this is not their BBC. It is our BBC. Like all of our public services it exists to serve you, so must be scrutinised and held to account to protect its own integrity.”
She added: "Thank you for all of the wonderful moments we have shared across these airwaves. They have shaped me, and I will never forget them."
Sophie’s extraordinary rant may have prompted those tuning in live to sit up and listen, but it seems the Beeb are getting the last laugh - as they’ve edited out her outburst on their online catch-up service.
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