Victoria Derbyshire Show axed as BBC tries to save money

Rebecca Speare-Cole23 January 2020

The Victoria Derbyshire Show is coming off air as a result of BBC cuts, the broadcaster's media editor has said.

Amol Rajan said on Twitter that the show was ending and that the cost of the programme was "deemed too high".

He said: "The Victoria Derbyshire Show is coming off air. I understand @BBCNews is committed to Victoria + 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."

Victoria Derbyshire with the award for Best News Coverage in the press room at the Virgin TV in 2017
PA Archive/PA Images

Rajan also highlighted the impact of the show, which began in 2015.

"The show won awards at the RTS and from BAFTA," he said. "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."

MP Tracy Brabin was among those to comment, tweeting that she would be "looking into why @VictoriaLIVE is being taken off air".

She said: "Rigorous campaigning & commitment to public having their say made it pretty unique in daytime TV.

"Victoria herself was sharp & approachable with a personal journey that made her relatable."

Piers Morgan said: "Very strange decision. It was an excellent programme & @vicderbyshire is a superb journalist.

"Surely the BBC isn't now finding the cash to pay for its gender pay fiasco by cancelling other women's shows?"

The BBC declined to comment.

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