On Monday the BBC announced plans to abolish free TV licences for over 75s, taking effect next June. From this date, only households with someone in recipt of Pension Credit will be able to claim a free TV license, meaning around 3.7million over-75s will be stung by the annual £154.50 fee. The BBC are facing a huge backlash for axing the free TV licences, with calls for a boycott of the broadcaster and the campaign has even got the backing of BBC presenter Ben Fogle.
The former Countryfile presenter pledged on Instagram to give all of his wages from BBC1’s Animal Park to Age UK, which is campaigning against the broadcaster’s decision to abolish the free licences.
Mr Fogle, 45, said: “I owe my whole career to the BBC.
“They gave me my first break and they (you) employed me for many years.
“But I am disappointed in the recent announcement on the abolition of free licences to the over 75s.”
Ben Fogle has joined the BBC backlash against scrapping free TV licences for over 75s (Image: Getty)
He continued: “I have decided to donate my entire salary for this years BBC Animal Park to subsidise licences for those over 75 who have no way of paying for a licence.”
The presenter added that his late grandparents
