A petition demanding that the BBC reverse its decision to axe the Victoria Derbyshire show has reached 12,000 signatures.
The award-winning BBC Two current affairs programme is being pulled from the schedule because of cuts at the broadcaster.
The change.org campaign, launched on Wednesday by Katie Kendrick, “urgently” calls on the BBC to reconsider its decision.
By Friday evening the petition had more than 12,000 signatures.
It praises the show for giving voice to survivors of historical sexual abuse, poverty, mental health issues and the children’s care system.
Ms Kendrick writes: “This is VITAL journalism that brought with it campaigning and integrity to important social issues. It is a lifeline to ordinary people
“I was once a guest on the show and spoke about leaseholders trapped in the leasehold scandal.
“The Victoria Derbyshire team gave me a voice, supported me and others affected in what could have been a very daunting experience.”
Absolutely devastated at the plan to end our programme (which I first learned about in yesterday’s Times). I’m unbelievably proud of what our team and our show have achieved in under 5 years.. 1/3
— Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) January 23, 2020
On Thursday, BBC director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth confirmed plans for the show to end later this year, saying “this has not been an easy decision”.
Derbyshire told her Twitter followers she was “absolutely devastated at the plan to end our programme”.
The show began in 2015 and broadcasts live on BBC Two and the BBC News channel every weekday from 10am.
It won a Bafta in 2017 and has been nominated for several other awards, including RTS Presenter of the Year.