BBC presenter slams corporation after quitting post and says 'nothing changed'
BBC presenter Nihal Arthanayake hit out at the corporation for the lack of diversity in the workplace in an honest post shared on Instagram. The 54-year-old, who said he is leaving his job in September, said he 'called out' BBC North for the lack of Black and Asian staff working for them almost two years ago.
However, he noticed how "not a damn thing changed". In a clip shared with fans, he said from his car: "Today I walked into the BBC building in Salford and I was struck yet again, not for the first time, just how few Black and Asian people work in that building and one thing people have to understand is when you walk into an environment where you just don't see anybody that looks like you. That has an effect and since I called them out on it, well over a year and a half ago it seems like ain't a damn thing changed."
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He captioned the post: "I remember calling out BBC North on the lack of diversity in the building I worked in. I remember speaking to some of the black and asian people who worked there and I kept hearing how isolating it was for them (not all obviously).
"It just struck me again today. It also reminded why I will be leaving in September. Have pondered whether to press 'share' on this, but as I am leaving anyway..."
A spokesperson for the BBC said: "We're sorry if anyone feels this way, as creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong is a big priority for us and we know we have further to go. Whilst we're proud of the diversity of the BBC, we remain committed to continuing to build a workforce that fully reflects and represents the whole of the UK.'
Last year, the proportions of all employees from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds was at 17.2%, an increase for the BBC. They are also focusing on reaching their goal of 20% Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff by March next year.
Meanwhile, fans took to the comment section to share their support for the presenter, with one person writing: "100% agree… seeing is believing.
"If organisations took the time to create environments where everyone felt welcome and could bring their trueselves, you'd wonder what amazing things they could achieve."
Another said: "Diversity and inclusion isn't something we should need to fight for. But yet here we are, bored of telling the white man at the top."
In May 2024, Nihal announced he was quitting his daytime show on BBC Radio 5 Live. He had worked for the BBC since 2002 where he first joined as a BBC Radio 1 co-host on the Asian Beats show. He then became a weekend breakfast show host on the radio channel in 2007 before being moved to a weekend afternoon slot the following year.
Nihal began hosting BBC Radio 1's Review With Nihal in 2009 - while also hosting shows on the Asian Network from 2007. He left BBC Radio 1 in 2014 and began carving out a successful career on the airwaves from 2016 by helming discussion shows and panels.
The star then joined 5 Live in 2016 and helmed the afternoon slot on the show that hit the air from 1pm until 4pm from Monday to Thursday.
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