BBC executives faced serious questions about their commitment to diversity after explosive internal emails revealed they considered replacing Top Gear's presenting team with an all-white lineup.
The leaked correspondence from 2022 shows senior figures at the broadcaster discussing plans to remove hosts Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff, while retaining only Chris Harris - a move that would have created an entirely white male presenting team.
The Diversity Backtrack
This controversial discussion occurred despite the BBC having deliberately created what was hailed as its most diverse Top Gear lineup ever when McGuinness and Flintoff joined Harris in 2019. The move was widely praised as a step forward for representation in broadcasting.
An insider close to the situation expressed shock at the proposals, stating: "It felt like all the progress we'd made was being undone. To even consider going back to an all-white lineup after celebrating our diversity achievements was staggering."
Timing Raises Questions
The email discussions took place in October 2022, shortly before Freddie Flintoff's serious accident during filming in December that same year. The incident ultimately led to the show being put on indefinite hiatus.
BBC sources have since claimed the discussions about presenter changes were merely "blue-sky thinking" and part of normal programme development planning. However, diversity campaigners have questioned why reverting to an all-white lineup was ever considered as a viable option.
Broader Diversity Concerns
This revelation comes at a challenging time for the BBC's diversity initiatives. Recent reports show the corporation has significantly reduced spending on diversity and inclusion programmes, with expenditure dropping from £1.2 million to just £460,000.
A BBC spokesperson responded to the leak, stating: "Like all programmes, Top Gear's on-screen line up is regularly reviewed as part of creative development. The BBC is committed to reflecting our diverse audiences both on and off screen."
The controversy raises fresh questions about whether broadcasters are truly committed to diversity behind the scenes, even when they celebrate it publicly.
