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Carol Vorderman leaves BBC radio show over anti-government social media posts

Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:48 pm

"My decision has been to continue to criticise the current UK government," Vorderman said

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Carol Vorderman is to leave her weekly show on BBC Radio Wales after breaking BBC guidelines with vocal attacks against the government on social media.

The presenter, who has hosted the Saturday morning show for four years, is an outspoken critic of the government on X, formerly Twitter.

The BBC recently published new social media rules for stars and staff.

Vorderman said she was not "prepared to lose my voice on social media" and managers "have decided I must leave".

She has almost 900,000 followers, and her previous posts include one on Saturday that said: "This iteration of the Tory Party needs to be utterly dismantled at the next election."

On the same day, she commented on a post from Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who said she and the "law-abiding majority" want to stop people who "cause nuisance and distress" by pitching tents in public spaces.

Vorderman wrote: "What I want to stop, and what the law abiding majority wants to stop is your vile government clinging onto power for a day longer."

In a statement on Wednesday, the presenter said: "The BBC recently introduced new social media guidelines which I respect.

"However, despite my show being light-hearted with no political content, it was explained to me that as it is a weekly show in my name, the new guidelines would apply to all and any content that I post all year round.

"Since those non-negotiable changes to my radio contract were made, I've ultimately found that I'm not prepared to lose my voice on social media, change who I am, or lose the ability to express the strong beliefs I hold about the political turmoil this country finds itself in.

"My decision has been to continue to criticise the current UK government for what it has done to the country which I love - and I'm not prepared to stop. I was brought up to fight for what I believe in, and I will carry on.

"Consequently I have now breached the new guidelines and BBC Wales management have decided I must leave. We each must make our decisions."

:bbc_news:

Re: Carol Vorderman leaves BBC radio show over anti-government social media posts

Thu Nov 09, 2023 7:51 pm

Carol Vorderman fights back tears after being sacked by BBC

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CAROL Vorderman was left holding back her tears as she spoke to fans in a video after being sacked from her BBC Radio Wales show.

The Countdown legend, 62, took to Instagram to post an emotional farewell and thanked her followers for their support.

Carol said in her video: "I've just got home from as you might imagine a busy day and I want to say from my heart thank you I am overwhelmed by all of your support, it's just extraordinary.

"You know we're all in this together and we will, absolutely will, make it right. Because you, are bloody marvellous. You are."

She captioned the clip: "A clip from last night when I got home. So overwhelmed with your support. Thank you all."

It comes after she dramatically quit over the BBC's new social media rules - which she said would have silenced her on social media.

Carol presented the two hour and 30 minute show on BBC Radio Wales each Saturday morning.

She landed the gig - which was her first ever radio programme - back in 2019 after previously guest hosting the slot.

The star has named the Beeb's new social media guidelines for presenters as her reason for coming off air.

Carol also admitted breaching the rules and said bosses told her she "must leave".

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:rolling:

Re: Carol Vorderman leaves BBC radio show over anti-government social media posts

Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:08 pm

Actions have consequences.

Strikes me that the silly bint is more upset about losing her rather fat (and largely unearned) salary than anything else.
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