"it seems like ain't a damn thing changed.”
BBC broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake has accused the corporation of failing its ethnic minority staff and confirmed his decision to leave later in 2025.
The presenter shared a video on Instagram voicing his frustration with the lack of change at BBC North, more than a year after he first criticised the broadcaster’s diversity record.
Nihal 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.
“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.”
Nihal confirmed he will be leaving the BBC in September and confessed he had hesitated over whether to share the video.
He wrote: “It also reminded [me] why I’ll be leaving in September.
“Have pondered whether to press ‘share’ on this, but as I am leaving anyway.”
He also criticised the culture at the broadcaster, posting a screengrab of a message he received from a current BBC employee.
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 grateful, despite grafting for our positions and dare we speak out.”
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Nihal commented: “Not sure I can disagree with these sentiments from someone who DM’d me about their experience of working at the BBC.”
He added: “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.”
Nihal had previously raised concerns about diversity in the BBC.
He said in his latest post:
“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). It just struck me again today.”
In response to the claims, 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.”
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