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BBC veteran John Simpson warns the licence fee is dead and brands non-payers 'shoplifters'

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026 · last updated 7 October 2026.

John Simpson, the BBC's world affairs editor, has warned the corporation faces extinction unless it finds a new funding model to replace the licence fee.
John Simpson, the BBC's world affairs editor, has warned the corporation faces extinction unless it finds a new funding model to replace the licence fee.
John Simpson, 82, branded viewers who watch the BBC without paying the licence fee 'shoplifters', saying the fee 'has had it'.
John Simpson, 82, branded viewers who watch the BBC without paying the licence fee 'shoplifters', saying the fee 'has had it'.

John Simpson, the BBC's 82-year-old world affairs editor of six decades, has said the corporation faces 'the worst crisis in its history' and will cease to exist unless a new funding model is found. He said the licence fee 'has had it' and warned that without urgent action from the Government and the BBC together, 'we're finished'. Simpson also said he told new director general Matt Brittin the BBC had become 'too timid' and was 'not proud enough of itself'.

Simpson branded viewers who watch the BBC without paying the licence fee 'shoplifters', saying 'of course they do watch it'.

His remarks come as the BBC cuts costs to save £500 million over three years, with BBC Sport among the areas facing job losses.

Simpson, who has covered the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War and the Ukraine conflict for the BBC, said the corporation 'constitutes the essence of what it is to be British'.

MoreThe TelegraphThere’s only one way to fund the BBC (and John Simpson won’t like it)mirror.co.ukBBC is in 'worst position ever' and could soon be lost forever, says former editor - mirror.co.ukDaily MailBBC switch-off grows as 50,000 Scots stop paying the licence feeThe TelegraphJohn Simpson: BBC licence fee is dead - The Telegraph
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