BBC investigates complaint from family of veteran radio presenter

2022-07-31

BBC investigates complaint from family of veteran radio presenter, 72, who died two months after he was ‘forced to retire’ following 47 year career

Radio presenter Richard Cartridge diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016
His family claim the BBC treated him as a ‘weak old man’ following his diagnosis
Daughter Lucy claims he felt ‘bullied’ by colleagues and received £20 cut in pay
The 72-year-old died just six weeks into his retirement during pandemic in 2020
BBC spokesperson said that the organisation remains in contact with his family

The BBC has launched an investigation after the family of a radio presenter who died two months into retirement complained about his treatment following a life changing diagnosis.

Richard Cartridge, 72, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016, worked at the BBC for 47 years, but his family claim he was treated as a ‘weak old man’ following his diagnosis.

His daughter Lucy claims he was treated differently in the workplace by senior staff, had his pay cut by £20 and felt ‘bullied’ by his colleagues, according to The Sun.

Richard Cartridge, 72, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016, worked at the BBC for 47 years

The 32-year-old said she feels the BBC is ‘directly responsible’ for his death, six weeks after he left his job.

She claims issues began when her father requested to work as a BBC Radio Solent host from home, but was refused.

Several months in the coronavirus pandemic, in June 2020, he was told his contract with the BBC would not be renewed.

In his final broadcast, he told listeners: ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do now.’

Mr Cartridge, who had left a staff job at the organisation in 2006 and had returned on a freelance basis, was admitted to hospital shortly afterwards and died just six weeks later.

Daughter Lucy said her father was a ‘shell of a person’ when she last saw him and added that he received ‘no care or empathy’ from the BBC.

She has now written directly to Director General of the BBC Tim Davie.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: ‘Richard Cartridge was a much loved presenter and our sympathies are with his family. We have spoken to his daughter Lucy and remain in contact.’

In his final broadcast, Mr Cartridge (pictured) told listeners: ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do now.’

Mr Cartridge was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2016 – four years before his death

Mr Cartridge was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2016 – four years before his death.

The disease is a long-term degenerative disorder which affects the central nervous system, in turn affecting the motor system.

Symptoms of the disease usually emerge slowly and as it progresses, non-motor symptoms become more common.

Early symptoms include tremors, rigidity, slowness in movement and difficulty in walking. The person may also experience cognitive problems, which may present with depression, anxiety and apathy.

Parkinson’s Disease dementia also becomes common in the advanced stages.

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