Sherlock and Doctor Who writer Mark Gatiss has told The Big Issue he will “fight to the death” to save the BBC from destructive cuts and attack from outside forces.
The actor, writer and director, who first found fame with The League of Gentlemen and went on to become one of the leading lights in TV entertainment, believes the broadcaster is in “serious danger”.
He said: “Death by a thousand cuts is what will kill the BBC. And it is a very, very dangerous situation we are in right now where the Licence Fee is being diminished, budgets are shrinking and it is under merciless, daily attack from [newspaper publisher and Sky boss Rupert] Murdoch and other vested interests.
Death by a thousand cuts is what will kill the BBC
“It is imperfect, as all big institutions are, but if we lose it, we will have lost it forever. It stuns me. For the rest of the world, it is such a badge of quality, such a badge of honour. It opens doors and borders everywhere, yet it is a prophet without honour in its own land.”
Gatiss said a campaign is needed to rally support for the BBC, and that 99 per cent of people if asked would want the public broadcaster to be saved.
“I don’t mind if people think it is propaganda, because propaganda is what we need,” he added. “I am not saying this as a BBC worker – I am loyal to the BBC because it is one of the most important things in the world.”
