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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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Sir terry is right the Beeb is not what it was standards have fallen. They are not listening to the people and what we wopuld like, but go on in their own "sweet" way
Posted by: ianstuart3 on Tue Aug 12 01:00PM | Report abuseIt's no wonder the BBC has lost it's No: 1 status with thle likes of Wogan still hogging the airwaves. He should be pensioned off like Jimmy Young was. They've had their day!!!
Posted by: blueterrier07 on Tue Aug 12 01:00PM | Report abuseSadly, Terry has had very little to say that is good about the BBC, since they took him off most of the TV shows that he did - and just at the right time too! Sorry, the time comes to make way for younger more talented broadcasters and anyway, he has made his dosh from the BBC. I hope he does leave the European Song Contest and Children in Need, that way they might just save the popularity of the show.
Posted by: apollomed1 on Tue Aug 12 01:00PM | Report abuseThe sad death of Bill Cotton, highlights how much BBC television has gone downhill since he left. Look at todays programmes and compare with Bill's day. No comparison, Its been dumbed down to an appalling level
Posted by: theraf2 on Tue Aug 12 01:00PM | Report abuseFor someone who is paid to do comic relief it seems odd he is willing to comment on people who care more about what they get paid than the job they do. I think the real argument here is that the BBC is not giving into his new demands and a public statement like this will only damage the BBC further.The BBC is an establishment. Terry Wogan is not.
Posted by: wesleywishes on Tue Aug 12 01:00PM | Report abuseWell the BBC likes to take money off the people for a Licence, but all we get is repeat after repeat and nothing new on it at all. So its a 7 day waste of time and money watching the BBC at all.
Posted by: williamaway on Tue Aug 12 01:01PM | Report abuseYes! it is rubbish and I don't know why we should pay a TV Lience, if it is not repeats it's Cooking or house hunting or the like!
Posted by: andyharding665 on Tue Aug 12 01:01PM | Report abusei completely agree.
Posted by: zuzazak on Tue Aug 12 01:01PM | Report abuseWhy do the broadcasters have to be Irish anyway. As for the Eurovision bit TAKE IT WITH YOU its @#$% and so is your commentary. 99% of Radio 2 is NO GOOD anymore
Posted by: buskintime on Tue Aug 12 01:01PM | Report abuseI do, sadly, agree with Sir Terry Wogan. Although on the whole I prefer BBC TV and the Radio channels to the majority of the commercial channels. There is too much Reality TV and smacks of being made because it is cheap(and nasty) Bring back the good Dramas and murder mysteries without too much explicit violence I hasten to add. Also Soap operas are so sad, people actually beleive it is real!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All we viewers want is value for money considering the price of the TV licence. We have considered not subscribing any more and just watching our own extensive collection of movies. I will say we have enjoyed Bonekickers and it has been well done. Keep that level of quality up please. There is too much Reality TV; what veiwers want is good drama, a good murder mystery without too much explicit violence. We have both really enjoyed Bonekickers and toally dosagree with the person who called it dross; it is one of the best thi
Posted by: judi.carlisle on Tue Aug 12 01:01PM | Report abuse