Longtime BBC star quits present after claiming bosses discovered his views ‘problematic’
Robin Ince had been with the Beeb for over a decade and a half on his Radio 4 show, but has now opted to walk away after the corporation said his political views were an issue
One of the BBC’s longest-serving comedians has quit the corporation after he was told his views were too “problematic”. It now leaves a hole in the schedule that had been filled for over a decade.
Robin Ince has been a keen staple of the BBC’s schedules on Radio 4. Hosting The Infinite Monkey Cage with co-host Brian Cox, the pair have been delighting audiences since 2009 with their intriguing scientific commentaries and edgy comedy.
But in a huge turnaround, Robin has announced that he is no longer going to present the show with his pal Brian anymore. He revealed that higher-ups in the BBC are reportedly the reason behind his decision to walk from the show.
According to the Sun, Robin released a lengthy statement to his social media profiles which confirmed he would be leaving the show. In his statement, he revealed that his personal views outside of the corporation were being considered “problematic”.
He revealed: “Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show.
“I always imagined going on until I dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys,” he joked. He revealed that he opted to leave the show back in September, despite being at the core of the show’s conception.
When asked why he chose to leave, Robin penned: “Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for some time: whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter.”
He added that BBC execs had also “voiced problems” with his views that appeared to go against the broadcaster’s policies. Robin went on to slam the BBC for allowing more extreme views onto the platform, whilst “shutting down” views that preached tolerance and kindness.
As he signed off, he also gave his thanks to the BBC for allowing him to maintain his support for other marginalised communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, and neurodivergents. A BBC spokesperson also thanked Robin for his years of service to the broadcaster.
“We would like to thank Robin Ince for everything he’s done for Infinite Monkey Cage over the past 16 years and wish him all the best for the future,” the spokesperson said. “We will announce more Monkey Cage news in due course.”
This is not the first time that a former BBC host has been forced to hang up their presenting boots, with the most prominent being former footballer and Match of the Day star Gary Lineker. He opted to quit the show — and in turn, the BBC — after he slammed the rise of the far-right, ultimately leading to a row between the star and the corporation.
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