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29th May 2021

David Mitchell’s passionate monologue about the future of the BBC goes viral

Reuben Pinder

Speaking on the BBC, he criticised the corporation’s news coverage

David Mitchell has thanked his fans for praising his passionate monologue about the future of the BBC that went viral on Twitter on Friday evening.

Speaking on Have I Got News for You – one of the BBC’s most famous and popular comedy programmes which satirises current events – the comic actor criticised the corporation’s news coverage, accusing them of using ‘tabloid tactics’ to make the news watchable.

“The thing that makes people love the BBC is not the ruddy news,” he said.

“The news is a boring programme, we all know it.

“And in their desperate attempts to make the news watchable, they’ve stooped to tabloid tactics.

“That is going to destroy a corporation that is loved for the drama, and comedy and documentaries it has produced for decades.”

“And the Tories will cheerfully get rid of that and use this bullshit as an excuse,” he continued.

“And Martin Bashir may have unwittingly been the executioner of the BBC. It makes me very angry and bitter.”

The clip was shared by @ReachingBroom on Twitter, racking up an astounding 35,000 likes at the time of writing.

Mitchell then responded to the incredible reception, tweeting: Thanks so much for all the nice messages about what I said on last night’s HIGNFY. I’m so glad it struck a chord.”

The mention of Martin Bashir relates to new findings into how he obtained an interview with Princess Diana, which has led to severe scrutiny of the BBC in recent days.