DAN Walker has slammed the BBC as “a mess” as he revealed his “worried former colleagues” have contacted him over the corporation’s cuts.

The BBC’s now general director Matt Brittin revealed yesterday that the broadcaster plans to slash spending by £80 million over the next two years.

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Dan Walker has slammed the BBC as “a mess” Credit: Splash

BBC’s director general Matt Brittin announced the broadcaster will slash spending by £80 million Credit: AFP

The former Google exec, 57, told staff in an email that the savings mean that shows will be cancelled and jobs axed.

Now Dan, who worked at the BBC for more than a decade, has shared his thoughts in a post on X.

He penned: “I’ve had lots of messages from very worried former colleagues at the BBC.

“The corporation’s news operation is respected around the world but for many, this latest announcement about major cuts and job losses feels like the ‘managed decline’ of a trusted institution and a huge hit to morale.

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“The direction of travel is one of reasons why, whenever I get asked if I miss the BBC, I say that I miss the people and I miss working with my friends.

“I do not miss the mess,” he concluded in a cutting remark.

Dan, 49, hosted Football Focus for 12 years, from 2009 to 2021.

He took his seat on the iconic red sofa to host BBC Breakfast from 2016 until 2022.

Dan went on to become the lead anchor for 5 News and also hosts his weekday morning show on Classic FM.

In his email, Matt provided no specifics but warned that details of the cuts would be announced in the coming days.

Dan previously worked for the BBC for more than a decade Credit: BBC

Matt sent an email to BBC staff to inform them about the cuts Credit: AFP

It is understood the cuts will contribute to some of the 2,000 job losses expected to come over the next three years.

Around 550 positions will be cut in the BBC’s news and nations divisions, and 700 roles will close in the BBC’s corporate divisions, the director general said.

Cuts in the news and nations divisions are expected to generate roughly £160m in savings.

While cuts to the corporate divisions will also see the Beeb save some cash, though the exact figure remains undisclosed.

Staff were told that though “compulsory redundancies” were inevitable the corporation would work hard to avoid cutting jobs where possible.

In his email to staff, seen by The Jattvibe, Brittin said: “It’s almost a month since I started here, and I’ve been getting to know more of you and of the BBC.

“I’ve heard your belief in the mission, and your ambition to reinvent the BBC for the future – both of which I’m working on and will come back with more in September.

“Of course, you also want to know what the announced savings mean for you. It is important to me that you have clarity on this as soon as possible.

“The scale of savings requires tough choices, careful work and won’t all be ready at once. We are committed to letting you know as soon as we have plans in your area.

“All divisions will be making significant savings. Today, some divisions are ready to set out the first phase of these plans, with more to follow.”

The email also announced the closure of some programmes, saying the move would create “difficult choices.”

Brittin added that the BBC would “review our broadcast TV channels and radio network portfolio” as more of its audience moves online.

Over the coming days staff were told they would be given more details in calls and updates.