BBC is facing the worst crisis in its history and licence fee 'has had it', warns John Simpson

Published: 00:01 BST, 6 October 2026 | Updated: 00:01 BST, 6 October 2026

BBC broadcaster John Simpson has said the corporation is going through 'the worst crisis in its history'.

The 82-year-old, who has been with the corporation for six decades, predicted it will no longer exist unless funding is sorted out - and he branded viewers who do not pay the licence fee 'shoplifters'.

Simpson said the BBC 'constitutes the essence of what it is to be British' and is 'respected across the world'. 

But he added: 'I do think this is the worst position the BBC has ever been in.

'I think there is a real possibility we're going to lose it as it is unless the Government and the BBC together can come up with a decent way of funding it. I think the licence fee has had it. If people can decide they simply don't want to pay...we've had it, we're finished.'

Speaking to Radio Times, he added: 'Don't tell me these people [who have stopped paying their licence fee] don't watch the BBC. Of course they do. For me, that's just like shoplifting.'

World affairs editor Mr Simpson has been a long-time defender of the broadcaster and has previously praised it for having a 'backbone' over pressure from foreign governments to change its coverage. 

He said he 'resented it' when people claimed the BBC was caving in to those that did not like the way it reported on their countries.

BBC broadcaster John Simpson has said the corporation is going through 'the worst crisis in its history'

But he has now said he told the new director general, ex-Google boss Matt Brittin, that he believed the Beeb was 'too timid'. 

Simpson said the BBC was 'not proud enough of itself' and 'listens all the time to its critics'.

He has served as world affairs editor at the BBC since 1988, covering major international events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, Gulf War, Iraq War and the conflict in Ukraine.

His comments come after a spate of cancellations at the Beeb in a bid to save £500million over three years. 

BBC Sport is cutting jobs and has scrapped its lunchtime and overnight bulletins. 

Winterwatch, Live at the Apollo, Blankety Blank and Celebrity Mastermind have also been axed.