Jonathan Dimbleby savages 'crazy' BBC after it takes axe to patriotic TV coverage

Dan McDonald
Wed, 01 Apr 2026 01:29:10 +0000

David Dimbleby has launched a scathing attack on the BBC's decision to axe nearly all staff from its specialist Events team, branding the move "catastrophic" and "an absolute disgrace".

The 87-year-old veteran broadcaster, who fronted more than 30 Cenotaph services across his six-decade career, condemned the cuts as "an own goal".

BBC Studios Events faces the loss of all but one team member under the proposals.

The unit is responsible for covering major national moments including state funerals, D-Day commemorations and the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph.

Claire Popplewell leads the small team, whose members learned their positions were under threat just one day after receiving an award for their Holocaust Memorial Day broadcast.

Sources inside the military, Buckingham Palace and the church are said to have expressed private concerns about the decision.

But now, Mr Dimbleby has spoken out.

He said: "I think the decision is catastrophic to the BBC. It's well known the BBC is trying to work out how to fight its corner in the new era. The one thing that stands out and is unique to the BBC is the big public events coverage."

Speaking on Newsnight, he added: "These aren't just the royal events. They're the commemorations of the war. They're part of national life.

"And for the BBC to in any way reduce the effort it puts into that, I think, is an absolute disgrace and incomprehensible."

The former Question Time presenter said few appreciate the immense preparation and specialist knowledge required for such broadcasts.

He recalled that coverage of Nelson Mandela's inauguration and funeral demanded months of groundwork.

Mr Dimbleby said: "It's a tiny group of people who really know their business. I don't know what the savings are. I imagine they're minuscule.

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"But whatever kind of bean counter has done this I cannot imagine because it's an own goal of a really such an obvious kind."

He added: "The BBC, as we see day by day, seems to get things wrong. But how can it have got this one wrong? It should not have been allowed. It's the one thing that nobody else does."

The corporation has attributed the restructuring to a drive to reduce costs by 10 per cent, and insists that freelancers could fill the gap without compromising quality.

A BBC spokesman said: "As a prudent commercial business with a mandate to maximise returns to the BBC, we regularly look at how we're set up and where we can work more efficiently.

"We're proposing some changes that will help us stay strong creatively and continue to deliver a range of high-quality programmes whilst managing our costs in a challenging and fast-moving market."

The BBC maintained it "remains committed to broadcasting and producing events of national importance".

Critics have warned that dismantling such an experienced team could jeopardise coverage of future state funerals and major anniversaries watched by global audiences.

Royal author Robert Hardman, who has contributed to numerous BBC broadcasts, described the Events team as the "Rolls-Royce of live TV".

Mr Hardman said: "They have also been there to bring us all those annual events which may not pull in vast global ratings but which are part of the remit of a public service broadcaster because they matter hugely to a substantial section of the British public - Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday, the Commonwealth observance at Westminster Abbey."

Signs of reduced coverage have already appeared, with 2026 marking the first year since 1989 that the BBC declined to broadcast live footage of the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey.