BBC Director General Tim Davie broke his silence after back-to-back scandals hit the corporation.

Earlier this month, Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children. Not long after, Jermaine Jenas was sacked after sending inappropriate texts involving a female employee at the corporation. Meanwhile, Strictly Come Dancing has been embroiled in drama after a number of professional dancers were sacked over their behaviour.

Mr Davie said the news was “shocking” and admitted that there were “lessons we can learn” to create a better workplace culture. In an email sent to staff this week, he said: “Aside from the challenges of delivering such brilliant output, I want to acknowledge that this has been a demanding period for the BBC and everyone who works within it.

“The shocking news about Huw Edwards and other stories, concerning some of our high-profile shows, have put the BBC in the spotlight. It can be challenging for us all when the BBC becomes the headline.”

Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Jermaine Jenas was recently sacked ( 
Image:

He added: “I know we have all felt let down and worried about the impact on the BBC. However, we hold ourselves to the highest standards and we know there will be lessons we can learn to ensure we have the strongest possible workplace culture.”

Mr Davie said ‘building a positive culture and making the BBC a great place to work is a critical priority’ for him. The Director General continued to staff in the email: “I know that many people are proud of their teams and feel they are working in a supportive and positive environment. We must make that universal.”

He went on to thank staff for their hard work and said he was going to keep supervising “plans to transform” the BBC. It comes after former One Show presenter and Match of The Day pundit Jenas, 41, was sacked by The BBC last week for sending inappropriate messages to two female colleagues.

Jenas has apologised for his actions after being taken off air. “I am ashamed, and I am deeply sorry,” Jenas said in an interview with The Sun. “I have let myself down, my family, friends and colleagues down, and I owe everyone an apology – especially the women with whom I was messaging. I am so, so sorry.

Giovanni Pernice was accused of ‘bullying and bruising’ Amanda Abbington ( 
Image:
PA)

Graziano Di Prima kicked his former dance partner Zara McDermott ( 
Image:
PA)
“I am sorry for what I have put them through. I think it would be fair to say I have a problem. I know I self-sabotage and have a self-destructive streak when it comes to my relationship especially, and I know I need help. And I am getting help.

“I have made a lot of mistakes, and I am asking myself a lot of questions at the moment. I know there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and it will be hard.”

If you own a mouse, you will never turn off your computer again.PanzerRush|
Sponsored Links by Taboola

Weeks before, former presenter Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, and it was later revealed that he had been arrested over serious allegations in November 2023. He admitted to having 41 indecent pictures of children – some of which were category A, which are the worst type of images of child abuse.

It comes on the back of the Strictly scandal, which has seen long-standing professional dancer Graziano Di Prima sacked for kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott in training. Damning video footage was unearthed as part of a wider investigation triggered by former contestant, actress Amanda Abbington, who claims she was ‘bullied and bruised’ by pro dancer Giovanni Pernice. He denies all the allegations and the results of a BBC probe are still pending.