BBC director-general Tim Davie has stopped calling top staff “talent” due to claims about stars abusing positions of power.
He spoke out after scandals including disgraced anchor Huw Edwards, the sacking of presenter Jermaine Jenas over inappropriate messages and bullying allegations on Strictly.
Mr Davie said no one at the Beeb is indispensable and told BBC Radio 4’s Today host Nick Robinson yesterday: “We often refer to people like yourself as ‘talent’ but I’ve kind of banned that.
“You’re a presenter, I’m a leader of the organisation, and we’re here to serve.”
He said the problems had not been unique to the BBC, adding: “Those that have had power in places can often use that in bad ways.
“I would say (it is) important that everyone is treated equally regardless of rank.”
Mr Davie was asked if there was progress on Edwards — convicted of having child sex abuse images — returning the estimated £200,000 salary he was paid between his arrest and leaving in April.
He said he has had “some dialogue with the lawyers, but we’re yet to resolve that issue”.
The review, led by Grahame Russell, the executive chairman and founder of Change Associates, will “be helpful for us” in “sorting this culture”, Mr Davie added.
He went on: “It’s about how people deploy power in a workplace, we’ve all seen it, it’s not unique to the BBC.
“Many good or bad things happen in the new age, but one thing we should take comfort from is that things are improving.
“People need to speak up and everyone at every level needs to be heard.”
