Charity Boss Steps Down Following Road Collision Conviction
The newly appointed chair of BBC Children in Need has resigned from his position just days into the role after being sentenced for a serious traffic collision that left a cyclist with life-changing injuries.
Terry Duddy, 69, received an 18-month suspended sentence last Thursday after his black BMW SUV struck a female cyclist in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. The incident occurred on June 21st this year, though Duddy was only named as the charity's chair months after the crash.
The Incident and Legal Consequences
CCTV footage captured the moment Duddy's vehicle cut a corner at a junction on the village High Street before colliding with the cyclist, who is believed to be in her 50s. The impact sent the woman flying through the air before she landed on the road, where another cyclist rushed to her assistance.
Thames Valley Police stated that the cyclist had right of way and described the collision as resulting from "a moment of carelessness from the driver, by not properly checking the road was clear to cross."
In addition to his suspended sentence, Duddy was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work as part of his punishment.
Rapid Resignation and Replacement
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Duddy confessed to the incident during a meeting with BBC bosses on Tuesday and announced his intention to step down from his position at Children in Need. His resignation was immediately accepted, and James Fairclough, a trustee for the charity, has replaced him with immediate effect.
The timing proved particularly awkward for the BBC, coming shortly after the resignation of director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness following criticism over the editing of Donald Trump's speech in a Panorama documentary.
Wider Implications for Duddy's Other Roles
Duddy's professional responsibilities extend beyond Children in Need. He also serves as chair of welfare charity Catch22 and London Marathon Events.
A spokesperson for Catch22 confirmed the charity was notified of Duddy's conviction yesterday and stated they are investigating "the implications of this for his role at Catch22."
The case highlights ongoing concerns about cyclist safety on UK roads. Department for Transport figures reveal that 3,942 cyclists suffered serious injuries on British roads in 2023, the latest year for which statistics are available.
This isn't the first cycling incident on Chalfont St Giles High Street either - another cyclist sustained minor injuries in a crash there in June 2017.
