The crash happened in June when Terry Duddy, 69, who was driving a BMW SUV, cut across an oncoming lane and into a cyclist, who said to have been left seriously injured
21:48, 19 Nov 2025Updated 09:04, 20 Nov 2025
The newly-appointed chair of BBC Children in Need has resigned after being convicted of causing serious injury by careless driving.
Terry Duddy’s decision, revealed just days after he was appointed to the role, came after he was given a suspended sentence for driving into a cyclist while turning at a junction. It will come as a fresh blow to the BBC, which has found itself mired in controversy in recent days amid claims US president Donald Trump is set to launch a billion dollar legal case against the Corporation.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “Last Thursday, Mr Duddy, of Nightingales Lane, Chalfont St Giles, received an eight-month custodial sentence that is suspended for 18 months, 200 hours of unpaid work to be completed, costs totalling £272 and an 18-month driving disqualification.”
In an email sent to staff, outgoing Children in Need chief executive Simon Antrobus said Duddy informed the charity of his conviction on Tuesday before offering his resignation, which the board accepted. According to the message, Duddy, 69, agreed with the charity’s board that he could not continue in the role.
A BBC Children In Need spokesperson told the Mirror: “On Tuesday 18 November, our new Chair Terry Duddy informed us that he had been convicted last week of causing serious injury through careless driving. In light of this he offered his resignation, which the board accepted, agreeing he could not continue in this role.
“James Fairclough, a Trustee since 2021, has been formally appointed Chair with immediate effect. We remain focused on helping children and young people thrive."
The incident occured in the upmarket village of Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, in June when Duddy, who was driving a BMW SUV, cut across an oncoming lane and into a cyclist who had right of way. The cyclist, aged in her fifties, was said to have been seriously injured.
In his message to staff, Mr Antrobus added: “I recognise this will be a surprise, but I want to reassure you all that we remain in a strong and stable position, and we remain focused on helping children and young people thrive.” Duddy was only announced as BBC Children in Need’s new chair on October 21. Duddy will now be succeeded by BBC Children in Need trustee James Fairclough, who has been formally appointed as chair.
Duddy, a former boss of retailer Argos and Homebase’s parent company, has been credited with “inventing” click and collect catalogue ordering. He stepped down as Chief Executive in 2013 following criticism of his £1.6 million salary. He is also chair of welfare charity Catch22 and of London Marathon Events and serves as a trustee of its foundation.
A Catch22 spokesperson told the Mirror: “We were notified yesterday by our Chair, Terry Duddy, of his conviction for careless driving causing serious injury. “We are investigating the implications of this for his role at Catch22 and will provide a further update once this is completed.”