BBC under fire after report claims satire show was axed for being ‘too left-wing’

The BBC is facing criticism over a report claiming that one of its satirical comedy shows has been axed because it was “too left-wing”.

The corporation confirmed on Thursday night that The Mash Report would not be returning for a fifth season following claims last year that BBC director-general Tim Davie wanted to tackle perceived “left-wing bias” in its comedy output.

The show, which first aired in 2017, was presented in a similar style to left-leaning US programmes such as The Daily Show and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, commenting on the week's news and satirising politicians and topical issues.

An article from The Sun last night quoted an unidentified source who suggested that the decision to end the show was based on the political-leanings of host Nish Kumar and its content.

They said:

“For four series, viewers have sat through Nish’s ‘comedy’ with an undoubted left-wing spin.

“Tim [Davie] promised tough measures — and he has stuck to his guns.

“The Mash Report is no more and there won’t be many people mourning it.”

However, despite being a bête noire of the right-wing media, there are many people who are mourning the show’s end today – with some noting that (if true) the situation is a good example of the so-called “cancel culture” that the Right often complains about...

And although The Mash Report spent a lot of time making jokes about the government (as satirical shows tends to…), it also allowed space for one of the country’s few outwardly pro-Tory comedians:

Now, for the record, while the BBC has confirmed that the show has been cancelled, it hasn’t said that it was cancelled due to “left-wing bias”.

Here’s what a spokesperson for the corporation said last night:

“We are very proud of The Mash Report but in order to make room for new comedy shows we sometimes have to make difficult decisions and it won’t be returning.

“We would like to thank all those involved in four brilliant series and hope to work with Nish Kumar, Rachel Parris and the team in the future.”

But if you’re wondering what Kumar makes of all of this, here’s his response this morning:

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