
Strong woman must lead BBC, says Kirsty Wark
The BBC should be led by a strong woman, Kirsty Wark has said.
Calling for a 'more adventurous' choice as the next director-general (DG), she said some 'brilliant' women had been overlooked in the past and should be in the running to be Tim Davie's successor.
'I want to see a female DG very soon. I'm not saying, 'Tim, go now,' but I think it's time for a woman,' said Wark, who stepped down from Newsnight last summer after 30 years.
She is this year's recipient of the Bafta Fellowship, the British Academy's highest honour.
Asked why a woman had never been appointed to the top BBC role, Wark said: 'It's definitely not because there hasn't been anyone good enough. I can think of three women who would be brilliant.'
She continued: 'We've got brilliant women running departments and running programmes but I think we just need to be a bit more adventurous.
'The BBC has so many other ways it's on the front foot – technology, iPlayer, BBC audio and other things – and I would really love to see a woman take hold of that.'
Wark, 70, who continues to work for the BBC as a presenter of Radio 4's Front Row and The Reunion, said that the corporation needed a charismatic leader who did more than appear in public at times of crisis. She cited Greg Dyke, the director-general from 2000 to 2004, who became a household name.
'I want the DG to be a really strong public figure, someone really out there. We often only hear from the DG when they're firefighting. What we want to hear is the way they're going to deliver the best for you.
'For example, every DG is different but if you look at somebody who was really out there, I'd say Greg Dyke. [The public] knew Greg Dyke and that was terrific.
'I love the idea of walking the floor and being collegiate. Tim does that as much as possible but I do actually think we want somebody who is very open to conversations with staff all the time.
'Tim has done a really good job but I just feel: why not a woman?'
Davie is expected to remain in post to negotiate the next BBC charter, which begins in January 2028. He has been the broadcaster's director-general since 2020.
Wark will be presented with the Fellowship at the Bafta Television Awards on May 11, honouring her outstanding contribution to television.
She said: 'This is a wonderful surprise and a great honour. Television has been my home for 40 years, both at the BBC and in independent production, and I continue to learn every day from people with awe-inspiring skills who have become treasured colleagues and dear friends.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scotsman
23 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Harry Potter Television Series Cast Latest: Here are all 18 actors confirmed for the TV reboot - including Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
1 . Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter Scottish actor Dominic McLaughlin has been cast as Harry Potter in the new television series. While McLaughlin has had little screentime so far, he's already been cast in two television series set to be released over the course of the next year. He'll be appearing in Sky comedy Grow alongside new Hagrid Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel. The series is about a man who returns to his childhood neighborhood after his father's death only to be sucked into the murky world of drug dealing. He's also been cast in BBC action adventure series Gifted. Set in Edinburgh (and filmed in both Edinburgh and Glasgow), Gifted follows a group of Scottish teenagers who discover they have superpowers. | HBO


Glasgow Times
31 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Strictly Come Dancing line-up rumours revealed for 2025
Bosses are reportedly keen to avoid any further controversies this year, and are 'taking no chances' in bookings. Blue Peter presenters Joel Mawhinney and Shini Muthukrishnan are said to be in the running, along with Tom Parker Bowles, Queen Camilla's son. According to the MailOnline, a host of famous faces have already been approached for this year's series, which is set to get underway in September. Other big names reportedly lined up include former I'm A Celebrity winner Georgia Toffolo, Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts, ex-Love Island star Dani Dyer, and former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan. A BBC insider reportedly told MailOnline: "There will be stringent checks, and asking around, and digging into potential stars' backgrounds to make sure that they're not choosing anyone who might damage the show. 'For years, there was the whole Strictly 'curse' where the contestants and professionals kept having affairs. But that stopped. "Changes were made to the partnerships and it worked. There have been other issues in the past couple of years, though. 'Going forward, those at the top want a wholesome image to shine through. No more scandal – just joy." It follows recent controversies on Strictly, where professional dancer Giovanni Pernice was the subject of an internal investigation. Recommended reading: Former BBC Radio Wales host Wynne Evans also issued a public apology for making what he called an 'inappropriate and unacceptable' comment during the Strictly live tour launch in December last year. Earlier this week, EastEnders' actor Jamie Borthwick was also suspended by the BBC after allegedly using a slur against disabled people while filming Strictly in Blackpool. The BBC declined to comment on any speculation regarding this year's series when approached by Newsquest.


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Stacey Solomon and Tom Parker-Bowles among rumoured Strictly 2025 names
Rumours are circulating about the contestants for the upcoming 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing, with the official announcement expected in two months. Possible contestants include Dani Dyer (Love Island winner and daughter of actor Danny Dyer), Tom Parker-Bowles (son of Queen Camilla and MasterChef judge), and reality TV stars Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo (Made in Chelsea, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner) and Stacey Solomon (The X Factor, Sort Your Life Out). Thomas Skinner (The Apprentice) is also rumoured to be joining, hoping to attract a working-class audience, despite his lack of dancing experience. Ashley Cain (Ex on the Beach, Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone) is reportedly being considered due to his presenting skills. This Morning presenter Craig Rowe has publicly stated his interest and confirmed that talks are underway for him to participate in the show, which will return to BBC One in September with hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.