Jeremy Vine has stepped aside from being the official presenter for the Carers UK Awards after a deluge of criticism on social media.
The TV and radio presenter, who hosts the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio 2 every weekday, was due to host the awards ceremony in October. The awards recognises the contribution of unpaid carers from across the UK and celebrates individuals working to improve the lives of carers.
Backlash over social media post
Carers UK announced on Monday 17 August that Vine, 61, would be presenting at the event on X, but the post was not met with celebration - instead, hundreds of people criticised the organisation for its choice.
Many took issue with the contents of Vine’s radio show, which often discusses controversial topics and has had its share of guests with unpopular opinions over the years. One of the comments on the post read: “I guess no one at Carers UK has ever listened to Vine’s deeply offensive programme. Time for a rethink, and a massive apology.”
Another said: “Why? All he ever does is host judgemental guests who demonise disabled people and doesn’t correct them when they make false statements about us. This is an absolute joke.” “Sorry but this choice has pushed me into reconsidering my support of Carers UK,” a third added.
Vine responds and steps aside
Vine shared a post on X in response to the criticism and said he would “stand aside”, despite having originally said yes to the “obviously unpaid” gig in support of a friend. He wrote: “Because I host debates about welfare, benefits etc I see I was a controversial choice to be the (obviously unpaid) host of the prestigious Carers UK awards so i’m very happy to stand aside and give someone else the honour of doing it.
“I originally said yes to support a friend who watched her husband die in a long and painful process, and i didn’t want to let her down. I see her as a heroine.” He continued: “I’m not a campaigner, and guests on my shows know I have to be impartial, but I’m very much aware of the vital role unpaid carers play.
“I believe we’ve only ever covered them sympathetically. I wish Carers UK well with their excellent event and will cheer the winners from a distance.”
Carers UK responds
In a series of posts shared on Thursday 20 August, Carers UK also addressed the backlash and wrote: “We recognise the strength of feeling around how disability and benefits claimants are sometimes portrayed in the media, including on daytime television. Many of the carers we support are disabled themselves/care for someone who is and rely on a benefits system that too often fails them.”
Carers UK pointed to its work in campaigning for reform of the benefits system, as well as calling on the Government to improve support for unpaid carers. “We won’t stop pushing for a system that treats carers and disabled people fairly - and will keep making the case for change.”
A few hours after sharing the thread, Carers UK shared an update confirming Vine had withdrawn from the role. “Following discussions with Jeremy Vine, he’s asked to step aside and will no longer be hosting this year’s Carers UK Awards. Jeremy has been incredibly supportive of Carers UK including through his radio show, and we’re grateful for that support. But after listening carefully to our community over the past couple of days we’ve agreed with Jeremy that the focus of the evening should stay entirely on celebrating carers and the individuals and organisations that support them.”
