Political Commentator Reveals Sudden Dismissal from Popular Daytime Show
Femi Oluwole, a frequent guest commentator on the Jeremy Vine Show, has publicly disclosed that he was fired from the Channel 5 program without ever receiving an explanation for his termination. The 35-year-old political activist shared this revelation in a candid TikTok video addressed to his 200,000 followers, responding to inquiries about his absence from the show since his last appearance in 2023.
Financial and Professional Impact of the Dismissal
In the video, Oluwole explained that the firing occurred when the show stopped booking him several years ago. He emphasized the significant personal and financial consequences of this decision, noting that his regular appearances—typically twice a month—were his primary media gig at the time. This income was crucial for covering his rent, as he was living in a spare room at a friend's house under favorable terms. Losing this position was, in his words, "a big deal" that disrupted his stability.
Speculation and Self-Reflection on Possible Reasons
Oluwole expressed confusion over the dismissal, stating that he has "no sense of guilt" and does not believe he did anything "truly wrong" to deserve being "essentially kicked off the show." He did, however, question whether his approach to debates might have played a role. Specifically, he wondered if his push to engage with higher-profile right-wing figures on the program, such as presenters Carole Malone and Bev Turner, was a factor. Oluwole admitted he thought he could "make more of a difference" by challenging these "heavy-hitters," but reflected that "maybe it wasn't my place to say that."
Criticism of Show's Editorial Choices and Debate Quality
The political commentator did not hold back in criticizing the show's decision to retain journalist Carole Malone while letting him go. He described Malone as "shouty, rude and offensive," suggesting that the program's producers have made a conscious choice about the type of debate they want to feature. Oluwole asserted, "That's the quality of debate that they think should be a mainstay of the show… I'm feeling I'm not the problem." This statement highlights his belief that the firing was unjust and based on subjective preferences rather than misconduct.
Background and Current Status of the Show
The Jeremy Vine Show, which airs weekdays on Channel 5 at 9:15 AM, has not publicly commented on Oluwole's claims. Metro has reached out to both Channel 5 and Oluwole for additional statements, but no further details have been released at this time. Oluwole's disclosure sheds light on the often-opaque nature of television bookings and the personal repercussions such decisions can have on contributors' livelihoods.
