Tamzin Outhwaite and Deborah Meaden lead stars blasting plans to end licence fee

Tamzin Outhwaite, Matt Lucas and Deborah Meaden are outraged at plans to end the BBC licence fee in five years’ time

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Tamzin Outhwaite takes part in outdoor yoga session in July

TV stars have lined up to blast Tory plans to end the BBC licence fee in five years’ time.

They called Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries’ idea “vandalism”.

Anger has been growing after Dorries revealed the levy would be frozen at £159 until April 2024 – despite spiralling inflation – and could be abolished by 2027.

The real terms cut to the payment is around £3.2 billion.

The MP for Mid Beds has proclaimed that work will start “next week” on a new funding formula, with one ally gleefully adding: “It’s over for the BBC.”

The scrapping of the licence fee is likely to herald the break-up and privatisation of the Beeb, which many fear would have a devastating impact on UK culture.

Actor and comedian Matt Lucas warned: “I suspect this government wants to get rid of it because it holds them to account.”

While Mock The Week host Dara Ó Briain said the Tories had long been anti-BBC, adding: “This is short-sighted vandalism.”

Radio 4 presenter Reverend Richard Coles said of the 43p per day, licence fee: “It costs about an eighth of the cost a cappuccino at Costa. Good value.”

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said destroying his employer would a huge won goal for Britain: “The BBC brings you the best in news, sport, drama, music, science.. and Sir David bloody Attenborough….apart from that what has the BBC done for us?”

Only Connect host Victoria Coren Mitchell agreed: “Most people see a load of programmes they love.” While BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker said what a loss a shredded BBC would be by saying: “Those 3 letters are respected around the world.”

Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar cited a long list of iconic shows from Not The 9 O’ Clock News to Dad’s Army, as examples of how “vital” the BBC is. Even political comic Nish Kumar – whose series The Mash Report was axed last year, defended the Beeb.

Former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite said: “Support the BBC at all costs.” But the last word went to Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden who summed up: “You’ll miss it when its gone.”

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