BBC axes female presenting talent in Radio 5 Live shake-up
The BBC has axed two of its most well-known female presenters; Victoria Derbyshire and Shelagh Fogarty, as part of a rout at Radio 5 Live which will also see Richard Bacon depart.
In their place the BBC has unveiled an all-male line-up including Adrian Chiles and Dan Walker, who will oversee the station’s daytime output with Peter Allen filling in for Chiles on Monday’s and Tuesday’s.
The decision to replace both women with men at the channel has raised eyebrows in some quarters; particularly in the wake of a call from the broadcasters own director general, Lord Hall, to increase the presence of women.
Radio 5 Live is now left with just one programme hosted solely by a woman, Eleanor Oldroyd, who will front The Friday Sports Panel – although numerous female co-presenters will remain in place with Sarah Brett being brought in as co-host of Afternoon Edition.
Jonathan Wall, controller of 5 Live, said: “This autumn feels the right time to refresh parts of our schedule as we follow on from what’s already proving to be a wonderful sporting summer.
“We have a great blend of established presenters and new signings to take 5 Live forward in our home in Salford. It’s an exciting and creative team that I know will drive the station on to even greater heights.”