Does Chris Evans' departure highlight bigger problems at the BBC?

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. BBC Radio was already in trouble before Evans announced on air that he was jumping ship for Virgin Radio’s digital service, where he takes over the same breakfast slot he has occupied on Radio 2 since 2010. And because he is regarded as highly bankable talent operating in the commercially competitive market of morning radio, he was one of the few whose wages were not reduced as part of the BBC’s new push to eliminate the gender pay disparity. But while meaningful steps to end the pay imbalance at the corporation are of course long overdue there is a sense that this doesn’t quite explain the air of crisis over BBC Radio. There was also unhappiness over the addition of Jo Whiley to Simon Mayo’s Radio 2 drivetime show as co-host – against the vocal wishes of Mayo, who described the change as “difficult” and was “upset”.