Andrew Marr (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)Andrew Marr has revealed that he left the BBC because he became “frustrated” at “self-censoring” his opinions.
The presenter announced in November that he would be leaving the BBC after 21 years to join rival broadcaster Global.
Marr, 62, who presented The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One from 2005 to 2021, admits he got “bored” of the job.
He told the Daily Mail: “After 21 years of minding my Ps and Qs, I got bored of it. These are exciting and momentous times and I want to speak more forthrightly.”
He added: “I understand that at the BBC you have to keep your mouth shut and be very careful.
“Every time I went into the studio I reminded myself I was broadcasting to people who were paying for the BBC and they have the right to as neutral and fair-minded interviews as we could manage. It was very frustrating.
“Self-censoring is frustrating. I’d also been doing the same job for too long, there’s a danger of getting stale.
“People in big jobs should be aware that they can become bed-blockers. That there comes a time to make way for younger talent.”
The journalist said that he wants to “be able to say and write what I really think”.
“I want to go back to being a gum-shoe reporter with a pen and a notepad in my pocket wandering the halls of Westminster, and finally be able to say and write what I really think,” he said.
Marr, a former editor of The Independent, joined the BBC in 2000 and went on to present its flagship Sunday politics show from 2005.
He also took over as political editor of BBC News between 200 and 2005, while also hosting BBC Radio 4’s long-running Start The Week discussion programme in 2002.
In January 2013 the presenter suffered a stroke that left him in hospital for two months. He returned to presenting the Sunday show that September.
In November, the presenter announced that he would be leaving the BBC on Twitter, stressing that he was “keen to get my own voice back”.
He wrote: “After 21 years, I have decided to move on from the BBC. l leave behind many happy memories and wonderful colleagues.
“But from the New Year I am moving to Global to write and present political and cultural shows, and to write for newspapers.
“I think British politics and public life are going to go through an even more turbulent decade, and as I’ve said, I am keen to get my own voice back.
“I have been doing the Andrew Marr show every Sunday morning for 16 years now and that is probably more than enough time for anybody!”
