The newly appointed chair of BBC Children in Need, Terry Duddy, has resigned from his role just days after his appointment, following a conviction for causing serious injury by careless driving.
The Incident and Legal Outcome
The crash occurred in June in the upmarket village of Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. Duddy, aged 69, was driving a BMW SUV when he cut across an oncoming lane and into a cyclist who had the right of way. The female cyclist, who was in her fifties, was left with serious injuries.
Last Thursday, Thames Valley Police confirmed that Duddy received an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, pay costs totalling £272, and was disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Resignation and Charity Response
On Tuesday, 18 November, Terry Duddy informed the charity's board of his conviction and subsequently offered his resignation, which was accepted. The news was announced to staff in an email from outgoing chief executive Simon Antrobus.
A spokesperson for BBC Children in Need stated: "In light of this he offered his resignation, which the board accepted, agreeing he could not continue in this role." The charity moved swiftly to appoint James Fairclough, a Trustee since 2021, as the new Chair with immediate effect.
Broader Implications and Background
Duddy's departure is a fresh blow to the BBC, which is already facing controversy, including a potential legal case from US president Donald Trump. Duddy had been announced as the new chair just 11 days prior to his resignation and was due to lead the appointment process for a new chief executive.
A former boss of retailer Argos, Duddy is credited with inventing click and collect. He also serves as chair of welfare charity Catch22 and London Marathon Events. A spokesperson for Catch22 said they are "investigating the implications of this for his role."
In his message to staff, Simon Antrobus sought to reassure them, stating the charity remains in a "strong and stable position" and focused on its mission to help children and young people thrive.
