A radio and TV star who quit the BBC last month is set to make the switch to stand-up comedy as he claims the corporation is ‘not fit for purpose’.
Nihal Arthanayake, 54, has worked as a broadcaster for 23 years, presenting on Radio One and Asian Network.
However he has now quit his £145,000 role on BBC Radio 5 Live after expressing concerns about the broadcaster’s news coverage.
He told The Times: ‘I do feel that the BBC is in an existential crisis, especially BBC News.’
The star added: ‘BBC News is ultimately at the heart of the BBC’s trust, no one’s looking at impartiality with Traitors or Strictly. Its trust derives from its ability to communicate truth and hold power to account, and it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt when it comes to the BBC’s coverage of Israel and Gaza it has failed to do that.’
Arthanayake has repeatedly called out the organisation for a lack of diversity. When he worked at BBC North in Manchester he said he did not see ‘anyone who looked like me’, saying it was as much about class as colour or faith.
He added that he believed there was not a single Muslim in the senior editorial processes at BBC Five Live.
the 54-year-old admitted he has not had a leaving party, adding that he would not want to have a drink with anyone in BBC management.
Nihal Arthanayake has announced he will be starting a career in stand-up comedy
Arthanayake, 54, has worked as a broadcaster for 23 years, presenting on Radio One and Asian Network
The presenter is set to take a considerable pay cut as part of his career change, which he described as ‘terrifying’ but is optimistic about taking to the stage.
Arthanayake said he has experience of hecklers through working on radio, but was also not concerned about ‘dying on stage’, as he believes he will only get better.
He said he has seen or interviewed comedians who he did not think were ‘very good’ and believes he is funnier.
Currently his only experience of stand-up is limited to making jokes on the radio or hosting gigs.
At one event he mocked London Mayor Sadiq Khan saying ‘There goes Sadiq Khan, the son of a bus driver — although you’d never know it because he never mentions it’.
He said his comedy heroes included David Letterman, Dave Chappelle and Romesh Ranganathan.
Ranganathan is not just a friend and fellow Sri-Lankan to Arthanayake, but says he admires his journey to the epicentre of mainstream media.
Alongside his move to comedy, the presenter is also writing a book about integration and interviewing musicians on a podcast for a record label.
Arthanayake has repeatedly called out the organisation for a lack of diversity
TV and radio presenter Nihal Arthanayake (pictured) blasted the BBC for ‘treating their staff like pets’ and confirmed he has quit
Arthanayake’s stand-up debut is set to be part of the Sri-Lankan Culture Collective Festival this weekend.
After quitting the BBC last month, he accused the corporation of ‘treating their staff like pets.
The BBC presenter spoke candidly in a video on Instagram and said: ‘So today I walked into the BBC building in Salford and I was struck yet again, not for the first time, just how few black and Asian people work in that building.
‘And one thing that people have to understand is that when you walk into an environment where you just don’t see anybody that looks like you, that has an effect.
‘Since I called them out on it, well over a year ago, it seems like ain’t a damn thing changed.’
In the caption, Nihal revealed he would be leaving the BBC in September and elaborated on his concerns.
The journalist penned: ‘I remember calling out BBC North on the lack of diversity in the building I worked in.
‘I remember speaking to some of the black and Asian people who worked there and I kept hearing how isolating it was for them (not all obviously).
Nihal Arthanayake, 54, has opened up about how he feels in his workplace and claims there’s a ‘lack of diversity’ at the broadcaster
‘It just struck me again today. It also reminded why I’ll be leaving in September. Have pondered whether to press “share” on this, but as I am leaving anyway…’
The journalist shared a message he received from someone else who has worked at the BBC in another post.
It read: ‘I’m not sure the BBC is a place for people of colour I feel we get treated like “pets”, that we should be so grateful, despite grafting for our positions, & dare we speak out…’
With the message, Nihal penned: ‘Not sure I can disagree with these sentiments from someone who DM’d me about their experience of working at the BBC.’
In the caption he revealed other former or current BBC colleagues had reached out to him.
Nihal wrote: ‘Had so many dms from people of colour who have worked or are still working at the BBC.
‘BBC North is not an inclusive environment for people of colour. I am not the only one who thinks that.’
Back in 2023, Nihal told a journalism diversity conference an ‘overwhelmingly white’ working environment was affecting his mental health.
‘It’s really affecting me that I walk in and all I see is white people.’
His colleagues’ response when he told them this was to reply defensively that they were not being racist, he claimed as he said that was missing the point.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We’re sorry if anyone feels this way, as creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong is a big priority for us and we know we have further to go.
‘Whilst we’re proud of the diversity of the BBC, we remain committed to continuing to build a workforce that fully reflects and represents the whole of the UK.’
The BBC also shared that the proportion of employees from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds increased at the BBC last year and make up 17.2% of all employees at the broadcaster.
It aims to achieve its target of 20% by March 2026.
Nihal Arthanayake has been contacted for comment.
