The BBC are 'directly responsible' for the death of a much-loved radio presenter, his bereaved family claim.
Richard Cartridge died two months after he was "forced to retire" from the job he loved. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016 and worked for the corporation for nearly 50 years.
His daughter has slammed the beeb and claims that following his diagnosis, her dad was treated as a “weak, old man” by senior BBC staff.
Lucy, 32, says he felt “bullied” by them before being told his services were no longer required.
The angry family say Richard’s pay was cut by £20 a week, and a 'reasonable' request to work from home during the pandemic due to his disability was refused.
In June 2020, the presenter he was informed 'out of the blue' that his contract was not going to be renewed.
Lucy told The Sun that she feels the BBC are “directly responsible” for his death.
Within weeks of his dismissal, his condition had deteriorated and he died six weeks after being rushed to hospital.
She wrote to Director-General Tim Davie and said: “My dad was a loyal BBC employee for almost 50 years, but he was treated with so little respect.
"There was no care or empathy. He felt that attitudes towards him shifted after his diagnosis, which did not affect his work. His work was really his lifeline and he gave it everything.
“I do hold the BBC directly responsible for his death - I feel if they hadn’t treated him so badly, he would still be here, and I now want them to apologise for that treatment.
"No other daughters, sons, parents or grandparents should go through what we have.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “Richard Cartridge was a much loved presenter and our sympathies are with his family.
"We have spoken to his daughter Lucy and remain in contact with her.”
