Victoria Derbyshire: BBC drops award-winning show ‘in bid to cut costs’

Programme has won RTS and Bafta awards since launching in 2015

(Getty Images)

The BBC’s award-winning Victoria Derbyshire Show is being axed in a bid to “cut costs”.

Amol Rajan, the broadcaster’s media editor, said the programme was being pulled of air because the cost of the show was “deemed too high”.

He wrote on Twitter: “The Victoria Derbyshire Show is coming off air. I understand BBC News 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.”

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

He said: “The show won awards at the RTS and from BAFTA.

“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.”

Labour 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?”

Journalist Emma Ailes, who works on the programme, said it was “devastating news”.

She posted on Twitter: “Sitting here putting together tomorrow’s VictoriaLIVE. 3 other journalists on the team here with me, all young, female and so talented. And busting a gut to make it as brilliant a programme as ever despite devastating news today.

“I’ve never worked on a team that cared so much.”

The BBC declined to comment.

Additional reporting by Press Association