Recent articles
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...
Comment on this article
Please sign in to add your comments.
User comments
its all about standards these days, and unfortunately these standards are not set as high as they used to be. Personally I would always listen to Wogan in prefererance to one of these so called 'Humour' presenters, who in my opinion are not funny. As for the Eurovision Song Contest, the best bits were the results and Terry's comments - if he is not presenting any more, I think you will find the whole thing just another political argument and back slapping exercise
Posted by: judithabarnett on Thu Aug 28 01:05PM | Report abuseso, 800k for one person and we wonder if its not the best anymore? Its too concerned with overpaying its overblown stars like wogan to be worried about the standard of its content...Wogan is milking it dry and then slags it off, come on Terry remember which side your breads buttered even in your twighlight years
Posted by: huwchance on Thu Aug 28 01:33PM | Report abuseI certainly agree with Terry and I have to admit to only watching Eurovision because of Terry and his humour.
Posted by: carolann.bramley on Thu Aug 28 02:00PM | Report abuseI must agree with Sir Terry and say that values no longer exist gone are the days when people though about others it seems as if it is self first self last and self all other times
Posted by: johnson.07 on Thu Aug 28 02:08PM | Report abuseI think Terry Wogan is right. The BBC's standards have dropped tremendously in the past 20 years as have the types of programmes being made and televised. It is such a shame but thank goodness for satellite tv.
Posted by: john419275 on Thu Aug 28 03:56PM | Report abuseUnfortunatly the young do not wish to take on views of the experienced 'old birds'.When will the BBC make Sir Terry the Director General, with his experience and wit, it could be fun, worth a try, that's if Lady Helen allows it. 'An old young bird'
Posted by: standrews.sonning on Thu Aug 28 04:36PM | Report abuseI have to agree with him. BBC has fallen well below what a good broadcasting compnay should be about. The BBC say they are there only to serve the British public, what a pile of utter rubbish.
Posted by: johnhannon on Thu Aug 28 04:37PM | Report abuseI love Terry Wogan - he brings a ray of sunshine into the dreadful chore of coming into work every day. Of course I agree with every word he says - he's a national treasure. If he ever stands for Prime Minister, Im right behind him.
Posted by: maria.m.cox on Thu Aug 28 04:38PM | Report abuseI agree. It seems that with very few exceptions, such as newscasters and the odd individual, speaking the Queen's English is a lost art. The glottle-stop rules - ghastly ! Ray Leach Cambridge
Posted by: raymondleach on Thu Aug 28 05:31PM | Report abuseI sgree with Wogan, It used to be held in awe by the rest of the world, but the politically correctness has spoilt many programmes with the MUST HAVE usual subjects included which are irrelevant to the programme being shown. victor rowe
Posted by: victorrowe on Thu Aug 28 07:36PM | Report abuse