TV Presenter's Life Transformed Following BBC Suspension
Scottish television and radio presenter Kaye Adams has spoken openly about how her life has dramatically changed in the weeks since bullying allegations were made against her at BBC Scotland. The 62-year-old broadcaster, who earns approximately £155,000 annually, was removed from her position after accusations were brought forward under the corporation's Call It Out scheme.
Unexpected Support During Difficult Times
During the latest episode of her podcast How To Be 60, which she co-hosts with Karen MacKenzie, Adams reflected on finding small moments of happiness amid the turmoil. She described what she called a 'pocket of joy' when she received unexpected support from strangers while walking her dog.
'They've been a bit thin on the ground,' she admitted about joyful moments recently, before sharing a touching encounter. 'Yesterday I was out with the dog Bee, and two women separately came up and hugged me. One I kinda knew from years ago. The other person I'd never seen before in my life.'
The Strictly Come Dancing star described the experience as 'lovely' and even humorously noted about one supporter: 'She had lovely bosoms as well. I could have stayed there all day quite frankly. It was really nice.'
Struggling With New Daily Routine
Adams also revealed how her morning routine has completely transformed since she stopped appearing on BBC programmes. The presenter confessed she finds working from home challenging, having been accustomed to structured broadcasting schedules throughout her career.
'All of my working life I've had a deadline. Everything has been about a deadline, you know, like the show starts at 1 o'clock, it starts at 9 o'clock,' she explained. 'And I am definitely conditioned to that now, there's no doubt about it, I'm like Pavlov's Dog.'
The veteran broadcaster admitted she's become a 'champion faffer' without external deadlines, joking that she 'could faff for Scotland.' She acknowledged struggling to impose her own structure without the discipline of broadcast schedules.
Adams also revealed she's finding it difficult to get energised in mornings without early starts and has 'given up' on eating breakfast. She even described how she and her dog Bee cope with the cold in her house by going for walks to warm up, rather than turning on the heating during daytime hours.
Ongoing BBC Investigation
The bullying investigation was reportedly launched following concerns about an alleged 'shouting incident' during a debriefing session attended by Adams, BBC's new Head of Radio Victoria Easton Riley, and other staff members. Adams has denied any such incident occurred.
'I remember Ms Easton Riley standing at the back of a debrief meeting - in an open plan office - on one occasion, but there was certainly no shouting on my part. It's not my style,' Adams stated previously.
According to sources, BBC investigators are questioning staff about Adams's conduct 'over a number of years', speaking with both current colleagues at BBC Radio Scotland and those who have worked with her during her 15 years at the Glasgow station.
A senior BBC Scotland figure revealed: 'Interviews have been taking place with those working on the show and those who have previously worked with her. It's not just about one incident; they are looking back over the years.'
Adams previously described the past few weeks as 'three of the most distressing weeks of my professional life' and expressed frustration that BBC Scotland hadn't provided her with specific details of the allegations against her.
The atmosphere at BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay headquarters has been described as 'strained' by insiders, with team members on the morning programme 'keeping their heads down and getting on with the job.'
A BBC Scotland spokesperson declined to comment on individual cases but stated: 'If any complaints or concerns are raised, we have robust internal processes in place to manage these.'
