BBC comedy show The Mash Report has been axed by the broadcaster.
The programme, which offers a satirical take on the week’s news with Nish Kumar and Rachel Parris, had previously been accused of left-wing bias.
Andrew Neil has previously singled out the programme while complaining about the BBC’s “left-wing” comedy output.
He complained that The Mash Report was “self-satisfied, self-adulatory, unchallenged left-wing propaganda”.
READ MORE: Former Tory candidate Tim Davie takes over as BBC director-general
In a statement, the BBC said sometimes “difficult decisions” have to be made.
The comment said: “We are very proud of The Mash Report but, in order to make room for new comedy shows, we sometimes have to make difficult decisions and it won’t be returning.
“We would like to thank all those involved in four brilliant series and hope to work with Nish Kumar, Rachel Parris and the team in the future.”
READ MORE: How can we expect impartiality with another Tory at the heart of the BBC?
The decision follows previous reports that new director-general Tim Davie wants to overhaul BBC comedy – suggestions he dismissed.
He said the BBC needs to “nurture brilliant writers from all kind of perspectives”, but that there shouldn’t be an “assumed point of view”.
A lot of people are asking me for a comment and here it is: pic.twitter.com/C9ghSERUMy
— Nish Kumar (@MrNishKumar) March 12, 2021
On Twitter, presenter Kumar suggested he wasn’t happy with the decision.
He wrote: “A lot of people are asking me for a comment and here it is,” followed by a picture of him sitting in front of a sign reading: “Boris Johnson is a liar and a racist.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel