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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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as a 76 year gentlman i have known this for sometime.why has it taken him so long.but then i suppose £800k is too good to lose.
Posted by: roberthannah5 on Tue Aug 12 12:37PM | Report abusethe bbc is certainly not as good as the past but the independent channels are even worse so they may still be the best. TV in general is poor as there are realtively fewer decent programmes to watch, begs the question why are we paying for a tv license
Posted by: kstephensonfs on Tue Aug 12 12:37PM | Report abusethe BBC has become a 'sport' fixated and 'brain dead' channel. It caters only for couch potato 'sportsmen', and lacks any real intelligent content. Sad to say I think that Terry Wogan has hit the nail right on the head fair and square. Too many lack lustre presenters being paid too much, rather than serious broad spectrum entertainment. And, too many repeats! They are no longer worth the licence fee! Decent programs can be counted on the fingers of one hand! The 'Eurovision Song Contest' used to be just Europe, now we are getting eastern mediterranean countries included, and the whole thing has become a political 'bear pit', if you cant afford a war, win the 'Euro-bash'!
Posted by: terry.maker on Tue Aug 12 12:38PM | Report abuseI agree with Terry wholeheartedly. If you listen to Russel Brand and Jonathan Ross it is absolutely appaling at the language they use and a disgrace to Britain, no wonder the kids don't have role models anymore.
Posted by: lynn.warren1 on Tue Aug 12 12:38PM | Report abuseIf that's what you call an "attack" you must be desperate for a story. That's about as much of an attack as tickling an elephant with a feather. Terry is absolutely right when he suggests that the standards in the workplace today have been considerably dumbed down .... that's why "I'm out". Come on get real this is an opinion, not an attack.
Posted by: terry.james32 on Tue Aug 12 12:38PM | Report abuseI fully agree with this article. Our Country has gone completely mad what with Political Correctness and Health and Safety. None of which seem to have worked for the better. One always trusted the BBC, but these days they have lost peoples' confidence, in providing the truth.
Posted by: a.ambrose on Tue Aug 12 12:38PM | Report abuseTerry is probably right. Times and values change, so he most likely would not have got the job. But he did and radio is so much the better for it. His morning radio programme is one of the day's highlights - long may he and the morning team continue. Sure, the BBC may now rank alongside other very good broadcasting companies but to me, they remain world class - thanks to people like Terry.
Posted by: david.english on Tue Aug 12 12:39PM | Report abuseI agree with Wogan,I am not keen on his broadcasting,but I agree
Posted by: ddiprose on Tue Aug 12 12:39PM | Report abuseTotally agree with Terry and so I suspect will most of his listeners. When Terry calls it a day I suspect the listening figures will drop and someone without the wit or understanding of how the nation thinks will try and replace him. When will people who think they know best understand that they are not always correct? Political correctness is heading for a fall and those who buy into it will be the first casualties. Guess a few politicians will also soon be feeling the backlash of the public "telling them like it is", as will the BBC! Steve L Bolton
Posted by: stevenrl on Tue Aug 12 12:39PM | Report abuseSir Terry is quite right. The BBC is now the mouthpiece of politically correct NuLab. Apart from Test Match Special and a handful of other programs it has dumbed down and constantly bombards us with adverts for itself. High time to scrap the TV licence.
Posted by: krizovky2002 on Tue Aug 12 12:40PM | Report abuse