A TOP comedian has quit his long-running BBC Radio 4 show amid claims that station bosses found his political views “problematic”.
Robin Ince has hosted The Infinite Monkey Cage for the station alongside co-host Brian Cox for 16 years but will now be walking away from the show.
In a lengthy post, he admitted that his views outside of the BBC, including his criticism of President Donald Trump and his support for the transgender community had been considered ‘problematic’.
Robin said in his post: “Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage.
“I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until I dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys.
“I resigned in September, after 16 years of dedication to the show, a show that I named and helped develop over all those years.
“Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for some time, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry.
“These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter.”
The star host further claimed that executives within the BBC had “voiced problems with me” which led him to feel the need to make the decision to resign.
In his damning exit statement, Robin also expressed frustration that he felt extreme views were able to be platformed but those supporting kindness and freedom were being ‘shut down’.
He added: “I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division.
“They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer.
“I felt I couldn’t pamper myself with the luxury of silence.
“One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career.”
He further clarified how his show resignation would allow him to continue to be an ally for the LGBTQ+ community and to the neurodivergent community.”
Confirming his exit, a BBC spokesperson said: “We would like to thank Robin Ince for everything he’s done for Infinite Monkey Cage over the past 16 years and wish him all the best for the future.
“We will announce more Monkey Cage news in due course.”
He had hosted the programme with Brian Cox since 2009 with it being understood that Brian will remain on the show.
Robin rose to fame through his work in stand-up comedy in the 2000s.
He soon began appearing in a number of radio broadcasts and podcasts after a stint as a comedy writer on Channel 4‘s The 11 O Clock show.
The Sun has reached out to the BBC for further comment.
