Jeremy Vine has found himself at the centre of controversy after being booked to host a charity awards show.
The TV presenter provoked furious backlash when he was announced as the host of the Carers UK Awards, an event that seeks to ‘shine a spotlight’ on the contribution of unpaid carers.
Commenters accused Vine, 61, of ‘stoking hatred against disabled people’ on his Channel 5 show and using intentionally ‘provocative questions’ to allow guest panellists to ‘spread misinformation’.
Others said he was a poor choice because he platforms ‘lies’ about those on benefits, which go ‘unchecked’, and encourages ‘debates’ around disability and people’s lives.
The criticism was so strong that Vine had no choice but to issue a statement, confirming he would be stepping down from the gig.
Taking to X, the broadcaster began: ‘Because I host debates about welfare, benefits etc I see I was a controversial choice to be the (obviously unpaid) host of the prestigious @CarersUK awards so I’m very happy to stand aside and give someone else the honour of doing it.’
He added that he ‘originally said yes to support a friend who watched her husband die in a long and painful process’, as he ‘didn’t want to let her down’.
‘I see her as a heroine,’ he praised.
‘I’m not a campaigner, and guests on my shows know I have to be impartial, but I’m very much aware of the vital role unpaid carers play,’ Vine continued.
‘I believe we’ve only ever covered them sympathetically.’
He signed off by wishing the ‘excellent event’ well, saying he will ‘cheer for the winners from a distance’.
However, Vine’s statement seemed to only fuel further disapproval, as the replies alleged that he is not ‘impartial’ in his hosting.
Because I host debates about welfare, benefits etc I see I was a controversial choice to be the (obviously unpaid) host of the prestigious @CarersUK awards so I'm very happy to stand aside and give someone else the honour of doing it. I originally said yes to support a friend who…
‘I’m sure he really believes he’s impartial. Why can’t he see that having the “should we cut benefits” discussions over and over again just feeds into the negative narrative? He’s not stupid, he must know’, wrote @cfs_jo.
‘He may support carers and his friend, but he allows members of the panel on his TV show to spout absolute lies, completely unchecked about other benefits & their claimants’, wrote @kagsy_karen.