Carol Vorderman has broken her silence on social media after announcing that she was stepping down from her BBC radio show.
On Wednesday, the TV star said she was leaving her Saturday morning show on BBC Radio Wales after five years due to the corporation’s new social media guidelines.
The 62-year-old former Countdown star shared in a statement: “The BBC recently introduced new social media guidelines, which I respect.
“However, despite my show being light-hearted with no political content, it was explained to me that, as it is a weekly show in my name, the new guidelines would apply to all and any content that I post all year round.
“Since those non-negotiable changes to my radio contract were made, I’ve ultimately found that I’m not prepared to lose my voice on social media, change who I am, or lose the ability to express the strong beliefs I hold about the political turmoil this country finds itself in.
“My decision has been to continue to criticise the current UK Government for what it has done to the country which I love – and I’m not prepared to stop. I was brought up to fight for what I believe in, and I will carry on.
“Consequently I have now breached the new guidelines and BBC Wales management have decided I must leave. We each must make our decisions.
“I’m sad to have to leave the wonderful friends I’ve made at Radio Wales. I wish them, and all of our listeners, all the love in the world. We laughed a lot, and we will miss each other dearly. But, for now, another interesting chapter begins.”
Following her announcement, Vorderman took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to thank her followers for their outpouring of support, writing: “Evening. From my heart, thank you for your overwhelming support today.
“Just bowled over by it. You’re so wonderful, genuinely thank you.”
She went on to say that she would “increase calling out this disgusting Tory government with facts and data” before concluding her post with: “#StrongTogether.”
Vorderman has been vocal in her criticism of the Government on social media and has engaged in arguments on X with Tory MPs.
Under the BBC’s social media guidelines, presenters on flagship programmes have been banned from making attacks on political parties.
The guidelines came in following a row after Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker compared the language used by the Conservative government to promote its asylum seeker plans to 1930s Germany on X.
Also included in the guidance is advice that anyone working for the corporation should take particular care when commenting on the issues that provoke the greatest debate on social media.
Speaking on Vorderman’s departure, a BBC spokesperson said: “Carol has been a presenter on BBC Radio Wales since 2018. We’d like to thank her for her work and contribution to the station over the past five years.”
