BBC announces interim director general | Ents & Arts News

The BBC has announced who will carry the corporation forward after the departure of director general Tim Davie.

Rhodri Talfan Davies, who led BBC Cymru Wales from 2011 to 2020, will assume the role of interim director general on 3 April.

Mr Davies, who is currently the broadcaster’s Director of Nations, will steer the BBC until a new, permanent director general starts work.

In a note to staff, BBC chair Samir Shah said Mr Davies would join the board from 1 February, and deputise for the current director general “to enable a smooth transition”.

“He is an outstanding leader who brings deep editorial experience and a passionate commitment to the power of public service broadcasting to reach and represent audiences across all parts of the UK,” wrote Mr Shah.

Tim Davie will step down from 2 April, having announced his resignation from the corporation on 9 November last year, amid ongoing controversy over the editing of a BBC documentary about Donald Trump.

Mr Shah wrote: “There will be a time to celebrate Tim and thank him for his extraordinary contribution to the BBC nearer his departure date.

“Until then, Tim continues to lead the corporation through this critical period as we prepare our response to the government’s consultation on its Green Paper on the future of the BBC Charter.”

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BBC fights back against Trump lawsuit

Mr Shah added that the search for a permanent replacement was “well underway”.

He wrote: “This remains my biggest priority and I will update you as soon as we have a successful outcome.”

The US president filed a defamation lawsuit over the broadcaster’s editing of a speech he made in 2021, on the day his supporters stormed the Capitol building.

Clips were spliced together from sections of the US president’s speech on 6 January 2021 to make it appear he told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to “fight like hell”.

Resigning, Mr Davie said the debacle wasn’t the only reason he was leaving, but had “understandably contributed” to his decision.

He said: “Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director-general I have to take ultimate responsibility.”

Read more:
‘Teflon Tim’ rode out several BBC controversies – but not this
Eight people who could replace Tim Davie at BBC

Now Trump is suing the BBC for defamation and violation of trade practices, demanding $10bn (£7.5bn) – double the broadcaster’s licence fee take.

Responding to the case, a BBC spokesperson said: “As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”

As of July 2025, Rhodri Talfan Davies was paid between £305,000 and £309,999. Tim Davie, meanwhile, was earning between £540,000 and £544,999.