The BBC has broken with an eight-decade tradition by deciding not to commission an oil painting of outgoing director-general Tim Davie, marking a significant departure from the honour bestowed upon most of his predecessors.
End of an Era for BBC Leadership Tradition
Tim Davie will become the latest in a growing line of BBC directors-general who leave without the traditional oil painting that would have cost approximately £15,000 and hung alongside those of previous leaders at Broadcasting House in central London. A corporation spokesman confirmed the decision with a simple statement: 'There are no plans.'
The portrait tradition began in the 1930s under the BBC's first director-general, Lord Reith, and continued for eighty years. Greg Dyke, who led the corporation until 2004, was the last director-general to receive the honour. Since then, the practice has gradually been abandoned amid various controversies surrounding subsequent leaders.
Controversial Tenure Leads to Break with Tradition
Davie's departure follows a five-year tenure marked by multiple scandals that ultimately forced his resignation from his £540,000-per-year position. The final controversy involved the editing of a Donald Trump clip for Panorama, but this was merely the latest in a series of contentious issues during his leadership.
Other significant controversies under Davie's watch included accusations of institutional bias, disputes over Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance, ongoing debates about Gary Lineker's social media activity, and the recent Gaza documentary scandal. These incidents created a challenging environment for the corporation and contributed to Davie's decision to step down.
Precedent for Withholding the Honour
Davie is not the first recent director-general to miss out on the portrait tradition. His predecessor, Lord Tony Hall, also didn't receive a painting after a tenure that included the smearing of Sir Cliff Richard, executive pay increases, disputes about licence fees for over-75s, and controversies surrounding the EastEnders set.
Lord Hall faced additional criticism for what was described as a lacklustre investigation into the 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana and how journalist Martin Bashir deceived her to secure the exclusive. Mark Thompson, who succeeded Greg Dyke, allegedly turned down the portrait offer in 2012, while George Entwistle, who served for just 54 days that same year, was never considered for the honour.
The decision not to commission Davie's portrait signals a clear break from tradition and reflects the turbulent nature of his leadership period. As the BBC moves forward under new leadership, the absence of Davie's painted likeness from the halls of Broadcasting House will serve as a visible reminder of the controversies that defined his time in charge.
