The ‘Victoria Derbyshire Show’ is being axed by the BBC.
The popular current affairs weekday programme – which has been broadcast on BBC Two and the BBC News Channel since 2015 – is set to end in an apparent cost-cutting measure because the outlay for airing the show on a "linear channel" was "deemed too high".
Amol Rajan – media editor at BBC News – tweeted: "1/ The Victoria Derbyshire Show is coming off air. I understand @BBCNews is committed to Victoria + the (award-winning) journalism of the show.
"Cost of doing it on linear channel when savings are needed deemed too high.
"BBC declined to comment ahead of an announcement next week (sic)"
Neither the BBC nor Victoria herself have commented yet, but Amol added that the programme’s "digital impact was huge".
He continued: "2/ The show won awards at the RTS and from BAFTA. Victoria nominated for Best Presenters 4 years in a row – and won once.
"Digital impact was huge. Show was designed to reach audiences the BBC struggles to connect with, and it did – online (sic)"
Journalist Anna Collinson – who worked on the show – has described the decision as "gutting" in a social media statement.
She wrote: "It’s gutting this could mean the end of a young, talented, diverse team who are led by strong, female editors and a fantastic female presenter.
"It’s gutting for our viewers. The BBC is constantly criticised for failing underserved audiences. The same audiences we were proud to serve and served well.
"I have already heard from interviewees who are devastated by this news."
Shadow culture secretary Tracy Brabin added: "I’ll be looking into why @VictoriaLIVE is being taken off air.
"Rigorous campaigning & commitment to public having their say made it pretty unique in daytime TV."
BBC axing Victoria Derbyshire Show
