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Veteran broadcaster Terry Wogan has launched an astonishing attack on the BBC saying that it is no longer the best in the world.
In an interview to mark his 70th birthday, Wogan told Radio Times: "When I started, people who worked for the BBC knew they weren't earning as much as people in commercial television, but they did have the satisfaction of knowing that they worked for one of the finest, if not the finest, broadcasting organisation in the whole world.
"I'm not sure they feel that any more, or at least that it means as much as it used to."
He also revealed that when he sent in his first audition tape he had forgotten to rewind it and says if he had tried to join today he would not be guaranteed a job:
"I can tell you, if I was a young chap coming over from Ireland today, they probably wouldn't even listen to my tape, let alone rewind it.
"Somehow, that old-fashioned thoroughness and commitment have disappeared. I suppose no one has the time for it anymore."
The presenter, who reportedly earns £800k a year, also gave his strongest hint yet that he will no longer present Eurovision due to the political nature of the voting. He said: "I've had so much fun, but I think it's time for someone else to take over."
Do you agree with Wogan's comments? Is the BBC no longer a world class broadcaster? Let us know what you think...
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i agree with him but who cares its just an opinion everyone is entitled to it!
Posted by: smog_smof19 on Tue Aug 12 07:01PM | Report abuseYou should try living in America, then you'd miss the BBC - especially the news!
Posted by: philipatindley on Tue Aug 12 07:04PM | Report abuseI whole heartedly agree with everything Terry says. The quality of the programs are not as good as they used to be, there is very little choice of Family Enertainment and i,m sick of all the repeats.Weekend television is a disgrace( unless your into sport). What exactly do we pay our license for?
Posted by: annetaws on Tue Aug 12 07:05PM | Report abuseYes Terry is spot on with what he says.
Posted by: ianthompson on Tue Aug 12 07:07PM | Report abuseUnfortunately he has a point but consider this they could be showing Big Brother on BBC... so count your blessings!
Posted by: colinfit20 on Tue Aug 12 07:07PM | Report abuseThe BBC has definitely declined in quality, especially its news programmes like BBC Breakfast: the topics are often very trivial, often little to do with news and more and more like ITV every day.
Posted by: aplashley on Tue Aug 12 07:07PM | Report abuseI won't comment on the BBC right now, but our recent failure at Eurovision had little to do with political voting. The fact is, we put up yet another song that was blatant drivel. Then when it attracted few votes, Mr Wogan's response in claiming political voting made the UK look bad. It was simply bad judgement by those BBC listeners who voted for the thing as our entry.
Posted by: euchides on Tue Aug 12 07:11PM | Report abuseCouldn't agree more
Posted by: zx9rkid69 on Tue Aug 12 07:16PM | Report abuseIf TW's comments "Somehow, that old-fashioned thoroughness and commitment have disappeared..", are true then he is inevitably right. As with the BBC, so too with any other organisation.
Posted by: seegee59 on Tue Aug 12 07:17PM | Report abuseThe BBC is world class and Wogan is past his sell by date
Posted by: danielz on Tue Aug 12 07:17PM | Report abuse