BBC shelves controversial Harry and Meghan podcast after receiving hundreds of complaints
The BBC has indefinitely delayed a controversial podcast about Prince Harry and wife Meghan after furious backlash.
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The BBC has indefinitely delayed a controversial podcast about Prince Harry and wife Meghan that promised to explore “allegations of sexism, racism and strategic leaks” after an accompanying TV series received hundreds of complaints.
The network’s Harry, Meghan and the Media podcast was slated to follow on from The Princes and the Press documentary which examined the relationship between the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex along with the media.
But after viewers complained that it was “disrespectful to the Royal Family”, the broadcaster quietly dropped the podcast, The Sun reports.
The two-part BBC Two documentary, presented by Amol Rajan, aired allegations that Prince William’s staff had leaked negative stories about the Sussexes to “put (Meghan) in her place”.
It was later slammed by The Royal Households for circulating “overblown and unfounded claims”.
The BBC said it received 925 complaints relating to “bias against the Royal Family” from viewers.
The first episode, which examined the relationship between the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex, received 776 complaints.
And the second episode, which focused on how Harry and Meghan quit the Royal Family, received 149.
A joint statement from The Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William said it was “disappointing” that the Beeb have given “credibility” to the claims made in the documentary.
In a statement given to the BBC shown at the end of the program, Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace said: “A free, responsible and open press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy.
“However, too often it is overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources that are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.”
William and Kate banned the BBC from screening their Christmas carol concert amid fury over the royal documentary.
The podcast was reportedly set to include far more controversial material.
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