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Andrew Neil has shut down Susanna Reid as she probed him on why he decided to leave the BBC.
The presenter confirmed he’s departing the BBC after more than 25 years of hosting live political programmes and was pressed on his exit as he joined Susanna and Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain today.
‘Why has the BBC let go of one of its best broadcasters?’ she asked.
Deflecting the question, Andrew replied: ‘Oh, you’ll have to ask the BBC that,’ before moving the conversation on.
However, Andrew did reveal the times he’s been ‘unhappy’ by how the BBC has treated him.
‘I’ve enjoyed my years at the BBC. I’ve been surrounded by some of the most talented people in broadcasting,’ he said.
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‘There have been times I’ve been unhappy by how the BBC has treated me; They wouldn’t move This Week to a better time slot, it was getting closer and closer to midnight.
‘They cancelled The Andrew Neil Show even though it was beating Channel 4 News every time it was on.’
Piers had asked whether Andrew whether he was leaving over issues of impartiality, to which he responded: ‘The BBC is a huge organisation and the bit about me being neutral, I’m as neutral and impartial as anybody on the BBC, sometimes more.
‘I come from a different political tradition but I don’t let that affect how I do interviews.’
Important thread (for me!): With heavy heart I announce I will be leaving the BBC. Despite sterling efforts by new DG to come up with other programming opportunities, it could not quite repair damage done when Andrew Neil Show cancelled early summer + Politics Live taken off air
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) September 25, 2020
Andrew shared news of his exit from the BBC on Twitter last week, telling his followers: ‘Important thread (for me!): With heavy heart I announce I will be leaving the BBC.
‘Despite sterling efforts by new DG to come up with other programming opportunities, it could not quite repair damage done when Andrew Neil Show cancelled early summer + Politics Live taken off air.’
He added that the split was amicable: ‘But I leave with no animosity or desire to settle scores. I look back on my 25 years doing live political programmes for the BBC with affection. And gratitude for brilliant colleagues at Millbank, who always made sure I went into the studio fully briefed and equipped for the fray.
‘They were/are the best of the best. If they can make me look good, they can make anybody look good.
‘There could have been a different outcome but for reasons too dull to adumbrate, we’ll leave it there. I wish the BBC and the new DG well. The BBC will always be special to me.
‘As for the future, I’m delighted to announce I have accepted the post of Chairman of GB News, a new news channel to be launched early in the New Year bringing new perspectives to the news. I will also be presenting a new nightly prime-time show on GB News. Watch this space.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
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