BBC ‘axes’ popular show after more than 25 YEARS on air as devastated host says ‘it’s sad news for me’

THE BBC have reportedly axed a popular show after more than two decades on air.

Long-running interview series HARDtalk launched on BBC World News in 1997.

The show's impending closure is part of a round of cuts to the BBC News teams.

In an internal email sent out, news boss Deborah Turness said the decision would "help meet the BBC’s savings and reinvestment challenge."

HARDTalk runs from Monday to Thursday but will end its near three decade run in March 2025.

Taking to X, current host Stephen Sackur shared: "Today BBC News has announced plans to close HARDtalk after 3 decades holding the world’s politicians and powerbrokers to account.

"This is sad news for me personally, but much more important, I think it’s depressing news for the BBC..."

Other current presenters on the programme include Zeinab Badawi and Sarah Montague.

Upon its debut, HARDtalk featured award-winning journalist Tim Sebastian as presenter.

The show's very first guest was celebrated actor and director Sir Richard Attenborough.

Meanwhile, other guests in the initial week included journalist Irma Kurtz, yachtsman Pete Goss, as well as late writer Edward Said and late racounteur Quentin Crisp.

Over the years, there have been more than 4500 guests in the HARDtalk hot seat.

They have ranged from political leaders, entertainers and ordinary people.

Some examples include the likes of late Hollywood actor Robin Williams and late actress Dame Diana Rigg.

Other examples are media personality Mia Khalifa and former US President Donald Trump - although several years before he took up the position.

Previous episodes of HARDtalk are available now on BBC iPlayer.