Woman’s Hour? It’s lost its way and lacks intellect and fun, blasts former host Dame Jenni Murray

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Throughout her many years hosting Woman’s Hour, she interviewed a wide range of prominent figures, including Margaret Thatcher and Joan Baez.

Five years after leaving the show, Dame Jenni Murray believes the BBC Radio 4 programme has drifted from its original purpose.

The now ‘dull’ show has neither the intellect’ nor the ‘fun’ it once did, she claimed.

Jenni Murray, a columnist for the Daily Mail, announced she’s stopped regularly listening to the radio show she hosted for 33 years.

She admitted she doesn’t really try to engage with the show anymore. She feels it’s lost its spark and intelligence, and has become quite boring. She believes it’s simply not as good as it used to be.

Dame Jenni, who hosted Woman’s Hour for many years, presented her last episode in October 2020. Today, the program is hosted by Nuala McGovern and Anita Rani.

Dame Jenni resigned from the BBC after they wouldn’t allow her to host a debate on transgender rights because of her views on the topic. She said she was deeply upset, having been a reliable and unbiased presenter for many years.

Surprisingly, I don’t have any regrets. I wanted a place where I could freely share my opinions. She explained to Saga magazine that working on Woman’s Hour was great because they interviewed people from all walks of life.

Sometimes the work involved political issues, but often it was about helping people share their personal experiences, whether challenging or joyful.

Dame Jenni began her career at the BBC in 1973, initially working in Bristol. She later became a presenter for programs like BBC South Today, Newsnight, and the Today programme. In 1987, she took over hosting Woman’s Hour from Sue MacGregor, and during her time on the show, she covered important topics including domestic violence and menopause.

Dame Jenni also said that she believed it was time that a woman takes the top job atthe BBC. 

In November, the BBC’s director-general, Tim Davie, had to announce his resignation after it was revealed that producers for the Panorama program had altered a speech given by Donald Trump. The editing made it appear as though he was encouraging violence during the January 6, 2021, riots in Washington D.C.

‘One hundred years and it has never been a woman,’ she said. ‘Of course it needs to be now. 

I’ve received a lot of emails from readers suggesting I should apply for the position, but I immediately dismissed the idea. It’s a massive job with responsibility for a huge number of people, and it’s definitely not something I’d want to do.

Dame Jenni has announced that she and her husband, David Forgham, whom she married in 2003, are no longer living together. They share two sons, Ed and Charlie. She explained that while they remain friends, she decided to move back to Yorkshire, as that’s where she prefers to live, and it led to their separation.

He prefers living on the south coast to London, while I enjoy living here in the city. Despite our different preferences, we’re good friends and stay in touch, making time to see each other when we can.

Nuala McGovern and Anita Rani were approached for comment. The BBC declined to comment.

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2025-12-29 02:39