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  • BBC presenter lashes out at bosses and slams ‘incredibly dumb’ decision to axe hit show after 25 years on air

BBC presenter lashes out at bosses and slams ‘incredibly dumb’ decision to axe hit show after 25 years on air

Published on March 25, 2025 at 08:59 AM

BBC presenter lashes out at bosses and slams ‘incredibly dumb’ decision to axe hit show after 25 years on air
BBC Rob Bonnet interview Justin Gatlin for HARDtalk

A BBC PRESENTER has lashed out at bosses as he slammed their ‘incredibly dumb' decision to axe a hit series after 25 years.

Last year it was revealed the broadcaster was calling time on HARDtalk as part of fresh budget cuts to its news service.

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows BBC logo on a building
A BBC presenter has slammed bosses for axing a popular series after nearly three decades on air
the word hardtalk that is on a black background
HARDtalk is coming to an end this month, having launched in 1997
Stephen Sackur, host of BBC's Hardtalk, on stage before an interview.
Host Stephen Sackur has let rip at BBC bosses for taking the show off air ahead of its final episode

The long-running interview series launched onBBCWorldNewsin 1997.

HARDtalk's final episode is set to air this month.

Stephen Sackur has presented the flagship series for its final five years on air and has now publicly hit out at the BBC for taking it off screens.

He fumed: “I feel really, really cross at incredibly dumb decisions made by management that I fear is not doing the right thing for the BBC.

“I have not been impressed with their ability to deal with this in a compassionate, human way.”;

The 61-year-old continued by claiming the Beeb's director general Tim Davie never visited HARDtalk's office and they spoke only once.

Stephen added: “I rang him up when he got the job and I said: ‘I just want to say hi and well done.’

“And he said: ‘It’s great to talk to you. I appreciate how important HARDtalk is, particularly in terms of our international offer and profile. I look forward to coming down and seeing the team,’ which he never did.

“He invited me to a gathering of journalists from different parts of the BBC, but otherwise I’ve never spoken or heard from him again. And, since the closure announcement, I’ve not heard a word.”;

BBC axes long-running sports show on screen for 50 years – just 3 years after Sue Barker dropped as presenter

HARDtalk has had over 4,500 guests since its launch, including world leaders, entertainers and ordinary people.

US PresidentDonald Trumpeven appeared- although several years before he first took up the position.

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