Legendary journalist Andrew Neil, 71, confirmed he would be leaving the BBC to start his own channel last week and spoke about his decision on Good Morning Britain today
Andrew Neil admitted he was « unhappy with the way the BBC had treated him » when explaining the reason for his exit
The legendary 71-year-old journalist appeared on Good Morning Britain today in his first interview since announcing he was leaving the BBC last week to start a new GB News channel
Speaking to Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan, he confessed he was « a little scared » after breaking the news because it was a « big challenge to start a new challenge »
Susanna then asked Neil about why he left the BBC and the suggestions he was kicked out for his own political views
« Oh, you’ll have to ask the BBC to [get] the answer to that, » Neil replied evasively, insisting that he didn’t want to look back because there had been so many positive moments there. p>
But he admitted: « There were times I was unhappy with the way the BBC treated me
Neil added that the new general manager offered some amicable offers but none were good enough because there had been « too much water under the bridge »
The journalist announced the news on Twitter « with a heavy heart » last Friday
He explained that the « damage » after the cancellation of the Andrew Neil Show and Politics Live earlier this year made other programming possibilities difficult.
However, Neil insisted he did not leave with « animosity » and looks back on his BBC career « with affection »
He wrote: « Important topic (for me!): With a heavy heart I announce that I will be leaving the BBC Despite the remarkable efforts of the new GM to provide other programming opportunities, he did not have everything was able to repair the damage caused when Andrew Neil Show canceled in early summer Politics Live took off
« But I leave without animosity or desire to settle scores. I look back on my 25 years doing live political shows for the BBC with affection And gratitude for the brilliant colleagues at Millbank, who have always made sure that that I enter the studio fully informed and equipped for the melee
« They were / are the best of the best If they can make me look good, they can make anyone look There could have been a different outcome, but for reasons too boring to dodge, we’ll stick with it there I wish the BBC and the new DG good luck The BBC will always be special to me
« Looking to the future, I am delighted to announce that I have accepted the post of chairman of GB News, a new news channel that will be launched at the start of the new year, bringing news outlook to the news I will also be presenting a new prime-time nightly show on GB News Watch this place «
The BBC issued a statement following the news: « We would like to warmly thank Andrew for his many years of work for the BBC, during which he has informed and entertained millions of viewers
« From his early days of broadcasting on Despatch Box in the 1990s to his recent political interviews in the forensics and diary arena, he has proven to be a formidable and extremely talented broadcaster.
« For years he was at the heart of this irreverent and much-loved week and played a key role in the Daily and Sunday Politics, Politics Live and the BBC’s general election coverage
« We wish Andrew every success in his new role; we are sorry that coverage of the US election is his last BBC showing for the foreseeable future, but he will always be welcome on the BBC »
Neil started contributing to the BBC when he was editor of the Sunday Times from 1983 to 1994
But when the BBC started revamping its political programming in early 2003, Neil began presenting live political programs such as This Week and Daily Politics, which was replaced by Politics Live after it ended in 2018.
Over the years, Neil has hosted a number of shows including Sunday Politics, and a guest has featured Newsnight on several occasions.
In August 2019, it was announced that Neil would host the prime-time political show The Andrew Neil Show on BBC Two
However, he was suspended in March 2020 due to the pandemic and fell victim to BBC budget cuts
Andrew Neil, BBC, Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid, This week
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SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com