The newly appointed chairman of BBC Children in Need has resigned from his position just weeks after taking on the role, following a conviction for causing serious injury by careless driving.
The Incident and Conviction
Terry Duddy was convicted after hitting a cyclist with his BMW in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, on 21 June. The collision caused serious injuries to the female cyclist involved in the incident.
On 13 November, Duddy received an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work and costs. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months as part of his sentencing.
Immediate Resignation and Replacement
BBC Children in Need swiftly accepted Duddy's resignation, acknowledging that he could not continue in the role given the circumstances of his conviction. The charity confirmed that James Fairclough has now taken over as chairman.
The resignation comes at a crucial time for the charity, which had only recently appointed Duddy to lead its operations. His departure marks a significant setback for the organisation's leadership structure.
Impact on Children in Need
The timing of this development is particularly sensitive given Children in Need's high-profile status as one of the BBC's flagship charity initiatives. The organisation raises millions of pounds annually to support disadvantaged children across the UK.
Charity representatives emphasised their commitment to maintaining public trust and confidence during this transition period, assuring supporters that their work supporting vulnerable children would continue uninterrupted under new leadership.
