Jeremy Vine has found himself at the centre of controversy after being booked to host a charity awards show.<\/p>\n
The TV presenter provoked furious backlash when he was announced as the host of the Carers UK Awards, an event that seeks to \u2018shine a spotlight\u2019 on the contribution of unpaid carers.<\/p>\n
Commenters accused Vine, 61, of \u2018stoking hatred against disabled people\u2019 on his Channel 5 show and using intentionally \u2018provocative questions\u2019 to allow guest panellists to \u2018spread misinformation\u2019.<\/p>\n
Others said he was a poor choice because he platforms \u2018lies\u2019 about those on benefits, which go \u2018unchecked\u2019, and encourages \u2018debates\u2019 around disability and people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n
The criticism was so strong that Vine had no choice but to issue a statement, confirming he would be stepping down from the gig.<\/p>\n
Taking to X, the broadcaster began: \u2018Because 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\u2019m very happy to stand aside and give someone else the honour of doing it.\u2019<\/p>\n
He added that he \u2018originally said yes to support a friend who watched her husband die in a long and painful process\u2019, as he \u2018didn\u2019t want to let her down\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018I see her as a heroine,\u2019 he praised.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m not a campaigner, and guests on my shows know I have to be impartial, but I\u2019m very much aware of the vital role unpaid carers play,\u2019 Vine continued.<\/p>\n
\u2018I believe we\u2019ve only ever covered them sympathetically.\u2019<\/p>\n
He signed off by wishing the \u2018excellent event\u2019 well, saying he will \u2018cheer for the winners from a distance\u2019.<\/p>\n
However, Vine\u2019s statement seemed to only fuel further disapproval, as the replies alleged that he is not \u2018impartial\u2019 in his hosting.<\/p>\n
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\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m sure he really believes he\u2019s impartial. Why can\u2019t he see that having the \u201cshould we cut benefits\u201d discussions over and over again just feeds into the negative narrative? He\u2019s not stupid, he must know\u2019, wrote @cfs_jo.<\/p>\n
\u2018He 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\u2019, wrote @kagsy_karen.<\/p>\n