BBC Quiz Show Cancelled Over Lack Of Support For Disabled Contestants

deadline.com:

The BBC has cancelled the festive edition of its longest running TV quiz show after contestants complained that producers had failed to support them participating with disabilities.

The Times reports that both the BBC and Lifted Entertainment which makes the show, have apologized for the “distressing” experience suffered by one of the contestants on the Christmas edition of University Challenge.

The contestant who is blind, had asked for an audio description facility, but was told minutes before recording began that this could not be provided. “We were told that your captain will instead have to explain everything,” they told BBC News. “It was distressing.

I [got] in touch to say I’d prefer not to have the manifestation of my disability broadcast on network TV in the run-up to Christmas.” A fellow contestant, who is neurodivergent, had asked for subtitles to help them answer the questions speedily, but this request had been turned down.