BBC Children in Need chair resigns after bike crash conviction

The head of BBC Children in Need has resigned from his post, just days after he was found guilty of careless driving and hitting a cyclist.

Terence Duddy’s BMW knocked a woman off her bike while turning right from the High Street in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, on June 21.

The 69-year-old man admitted causing serious injury by careless and reckless driving at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on November 13 and was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

BBC Children in Need confirmed that Duddy, who was appointed chairman on 21 October, had resigned, saying he was “unable to continue in this role”.

As well as the suspended sentence, the court disqualified Duddy from driving or obtaining a license for 18 months and fined him £85 costs plus a £175 victim surcharge.

He will also have to perform 200 hours of community service within the next 12 months.

Thames Valley Police published details and images of the accident experienced by the woman in her 50s on its Facebook page.

The report added: “The cyclist had the right of way and the driver’s moment of inattention, failure to properly check whether the road was passable, had a life-changing impact on the cyclist.”

Children in Need made a statement after the sentence.

The statement said: “On Tuesday, November 18, our new president, Terry Duddy, informed us that he was convicted last week of causing serious injury by careless driving.

“In light of this, he tendered his resignation, which the board accepted, recognizing that he could not continue in this role.”

The charity also confirmed “robust” checks were carried out before Duddy’s appointment.

A spokesman said: “Robust due diligence, including a DBS check, has been carried out in accordance with established processes for all senior hires at the BBC.

“No concerns were identified or disclosed during this process.”

The charity confirmed that James Fairclough, who has been on the board of trustees since 2021, will replace Duddy, who has been formally appointed as chairman, “with immediate effect”.

“We continue to focus on helping children and youth thrive,” he said.

When Duddy was appointed to the role, the charity said: “He brings strong management and a wealth of management and leadership experience in both the charitable and commercial sectors.” commitment to supporting children and young people”.

He was a trustee of the London Marathon Foundation, chairman of London Marathon Events and chairman of the charity Catch 22.

He has previously held senior commercial roles, including managing director of Home Retail Group Plc.

Children in Need is one of the BBC’s corporate charities and raised more than 100,000 donations last week. £45 million to help children and young people in the UK.

It operates independently with its own board of trustees and relies on public donations and other partners to fund its work.