BBC upset Watchdog fans by axing it as standalone show

By Caitlin Elliott
( What's on TV )
published

The Watchdog team
(Image credit: BBC)

Money expert Martin Lewis among those 'sad' at the BBC's move

The BBC has announced that it is to axe fan favourite Watchdog - a decision that campaigning journalist Martin Lewis descirbed as "sad to hear".

The long running investigative programme tracked down scammers in a bid to protect consumer rights for over 1000 episodes, with familiar faces like Anne Robinson, Steph McGovern and Matthew Allwright fronting.

Martin Lewis, who presents The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV, tweeted: "Sad to hear Watchdog is being culled as a standalone programme (and enveloped instead by the One Show). Campaigning consumer journalism must remain a core public service."

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Martin also revealed he'd done work experience on Watchdog.

Having been cut as a stand alone programme, Watchdog will continue as a segment on BBC1's The One Show.

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A TV source told The Sun, "The BBC is being forced to make cuts and unfortunately the bosses have decided they cannot justify keeping Watchdog as a full series, twice a year."

Explaining the decision behind the change up, Carla-Maria Lawson, the Head of Daytime and Early Peak at the BBC, said: "Watchdog has been tenaciously fighting for viewers rights since the strand started 40 years ago within Nationwide. So it’s fitting that in its anniversary year we are able to open up the potential for viewers to connect with the brand through The One Show."

While The One Show editor Rob Unsworth, added, "Bringing the quality, investigative journalism of the much-loved and trusted Watchdog brand to viewers year-round is an exciting move and a great opportunity for The One Show; and means that more than ever the team can react on behalf of consumers whenever stories come up."

Watchdog will now be a One Show segment.

Watchdog will now be a One Show segment. (Image credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

In light of the news, Watchdog fans took to social media to slam the axing.

'Don't watch the one show, so I will miss Watchdog what a shame,' penned one, while another chipped in, 'hate the one show loved watchdog so guess not watching either now well done @bbc.'

One fan wrote: "I’m disappointed to hear #Watchdog is being cut as a standalone show on the BBC, it’s imperative campaigning consumer journalism remains in order for the public to stay up to date!"

Caitlin Elliott
Caitlin Elliott

Caitlin is Junior News Editor for woman&home, covering all things celeb, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. 


Having set her sights on becoming a magazine journalist when she was a child, Caitlin took on work experience stints at local papers and titles such as Cosmopolitan, Now, Reveal and Take a Break while studying for her Multimedia Journalism degree and has interviews with celebs, reality stars and the Archbishop of Canterbury under her belt (of course, she couldn't resist asking him about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry). After leaving uni, she dabbled in fashion PR as a Press Assistant for Topshop before becoming a part of the Now team at Future for her first real job in the world of online journalism, joining the ranks as a Digital Writer in 2019. Caitlin went on to add the likes of Woman, GoodtoKnow, WhatToWatch and woman&home to her writing repertoire before moving on to her current role. 


When she's not working you'll find Caitlin sipping bubbles at brunch with her besties, thinking about her next iced coffee, trying to close the rings on her Apple Watch, scrubbing up on her royal family knowledge or scrolling through the Zara app, trying to resist tapping 'check out' again.