Kaye Adams is accused of being a foul-mouthed aggressive bully who humiliated staff. I worked for her… this is what I saw, by CODIE BULLEN

by

Kaye Adams is known to the public as a quick-witted and direct broadcaster who isn’t afraid to share her opinions and doesn’t worry about any negative reactions.

However, the recent criticisms aimed at the 63-year-old Loose Women presenter appear to have upset her.

She lost her job at BBC Radio Scotland last week after an investigation confirmed three complaints about her behavior. The role paid £155,000 a year.

Reportedly, over a decade ago, Kaye used a hurtful word towards a coworker, causing that person to refuse to work for the rest of the day.

According to reports, the presenter reportedly threw a pen in frustration with how the news schedule was going.

Both claims have been denied by Kaye’s lawyers.

You could say everything is material for the news cycle, especially in the lively world of daily broadcasting. I saw this firsthand when I worked as a researcher on Kaye’s BBC radio show for six months in 2022.

I was very surprised and upset to hear that my former boss was let go from the show last October after 15 years, and I was disappointed when the network later confirmed she wouldn’t be back.

Did I see the same person described by those complaining to the BBC – a verbally abusive and intimidating bully who supposedly yelled at and swore at people, causing them embarrassment and upset?

No I did not.

I’ve seen how dedicated she is to the show – she really cares about quality and making sure her ideas are heard. But she’s also a genuinely kind person, always polite and willing to help those of us who were new to the team.

I, like so many others, was completely shocked by Kaye’s dismissal. People who know her well are saying it was a really unfair, even sexist, decision – a total fix. It just didn’t add up, especially considering she’d dedicated fifteen years to the BBC without any problems whatsoever. It feels like a real injustice.

I first met Kaye in July 2021 while I was a journalism student in Edinburgh and doing an internship on her program.

Following a successful trial period observing the team, I received a paid freelance position as a researcher working at the BBC offices in Glasgow’s Pacific Quay.

I supported the show by verifying information, writing scripts, and handling all the behind-the-scenes details to make sure everything was correct, interesting, and ready to air. This also included scheduling guests and creating questions for the host, Kaye, to use during interviews.

Kaye has hosted ‘Mornings with Kaye,’ a three-hour call-in radio show, several times a week since 2010.

Right from the start, the producers and other researchers made me feel comfortable. Everyone was friendly and worked well together.

I was a little anxious when my boss introduced me to Kaye, since she seems so direct on television. Fortunately, our brief meeting was actually quite nice.

As the newest person on the team, I frequently brought her coffee from the cafeteria, and she always expressed her gratitude. Unlike some other well-known personalities at the BBC, she never made demanding requests or complained about minor things like the coffee not being perfect.

It turned out Kaye and I had a surprising connection! Her family is from Slamannan, the small Scottish village where I grew up, and some of her relatives are from Limerigg, the village where I went to elementary school. Kaye herself grew up in nearby Grangemouth, Falkirk.

Kaye is a familiar face throughout Scotland, so whenever I mentioned working on her BBC program, people always wanted to know what she was like as a person. They’d ask if she was as serious and strict off-camera as she appears on TV.

Kaye often appears strong and assertive, but she’s actually quite sensitive. A colleague who’s worked with her for a long time said that while she seems tough on television, she’s really a soft person and is deeply hurt by the show’s cancellation – it was very important to her.

Even though Kaye is now a well-known presenter, she remains grounded and hasn’t forgotten her roots. This news is likely to be a major setback after four decades in the industry.

I understand why she may have had disagreements with coworkers at times. It’s a demanding workplace, and things don’t always go smoothly.

She wasn’t much of a talker, but she always made her opinions clear, especially if she disagreed with something she’d be discussing on the air. However, she always expressed herself respectfully, never resorting to aggression or insults.

She’s incredibly efficient at completing tasks, then quickly moving on to her next project – like her appearances on Loose Women.

According to sources within Radio Scotland, Victoria Easton Riley, the head of audio and events, grew worried about the behavior of a colleague, Adams, during a meeting last year. She then spoke with other staff members who had worked with Adams previously to gather more information.

Following concerns raised by cases involving figures like Huw Edwards, Gregg Wallace, and issues on Strictly Come Dancing – where people felt their complaints weren’t properly addressed – the BBC last year released a review of its workplace culture. The review focused on improving how the BBC handles concerns raised by whistleblowers, ensuring complaints are taken seriously and not ignored.

A BBC Scotland spokesperson stated they don’t discuss individual cases when asked about the investigation involving Kaye.

However, he also stated that Kaye Adams will not be continuing as a presenter on the “Mornings With” show.

Following her suspension, a spokesperson for Kaye firmly stated that no complaints had ever been filed against her.

Kaye stated that the past three weeks have been incredibly difficult professionally, and that after her reputation was damaged in public, BBC Scotland still hasn’t shared any specifics about the accusations against her.

Grant Stott, 58, a broadcaster and DJ, is now the permanent host, taking over from the previous presenter. Connie McLaughlin, 40, who has been filling in, will continue to host for now.

Kaye continues to appear on ITV’s Loose Women as a panelist and presenter, and the show has previously stated its support for her.

She appeared on the show as normal this week, and didn’t say anything about the issues she’s been having with BBC Scotland.

Honestly, it’s been amazing to see so many of her colleagues rallying around her since everything happened. People like Denise Welch and Nadia Sawalha have been so vocal in their support, and it just proves what everyone already knows – she’s loved and respected! It makes me so happy to see them standing with her through all of this.

She co-hosts a weekly podcast called ‘How To Be 60’ with Karen MacKenzie, and has discussed the stress she experienced during the BBC’s investigation on the show.

Finally able to talk openly about it, she explained to Karen that she was trying to regain her strength and figure out what to do next, both for herself and her family. She admitted, ‘It’s been really tough – the last five months have been incredibly difficult.’

As many of you know, I’ve been leaving my radio job, and I wanted to address that.

I’m struggling with whether to respond or not. Right now, I don’t feel like saying much would be helpful. I really need time to process everything and focus on getting my life, including my mental and physical health – like my sleep and eating habits – back to normal.

Following recent financial difficulties, Kaye plans to sell her Glasgow home, valued at £1 million, where she lives with her partner, Ian Campbell, and their daughters, Charly, 24, and Bonnie, 19.

Honestly, listening to her talk about her kids just gets me every time. She keeps emphasizing that, as a mom, it’s her responsibility to care for them, and she really feels that. She always says she does everything she can, but she’s just overflowing with pride and gratitude for her children. You could really hear the emotion in her voice on the podcast – she was fighting back tears while she talked about how thankful she is for them.

Kaye recently shared that she was worried about a lump she found in her neck, fearing it might be throat cancer. Thankfully, doctors have said it’s likely nothing serious, but she’s been told to monitor it just in case.

I’m really feeling for Kaye right now, but honestly, having seen how strong and committed she is, I just know this isn’t going to keep her down for long. I truly believe she’ll bounce back – she always does!

Read More

2026-03-06 20:35