The BBC has axed the investigative journalism show HARDtalk after nearly 30 years as part of a 130-person job cut programme in its news division. The show’s host, Stephen Sackur, announced the “sad” news on social media earlier this month.
The 60-year-old, who is a self-proclaimed “BBC lifer”, having joined the broadcaster in 1986 as a trainee, said he was unprepared for the shock news, admitting he was “gobsmacked” by the announcement.
The broadcaster said he was “really upset, although not visibly,” in a candid new interview.
During the chat, the HARDtalk presenter was quizzed on the fact that his programme was axed shortly after the BBC had purchased several series of Suits, the US legal drama starring Meghan Markle, for an undisclosed figure.
“Well, I’ve never watched Suits,” Stephen told The Times.
The BBCannounced in March it had acquired the drama from NBCUniversal and would screen it on TV channels and as a boxset on …