Kaye Adams has spoken publicly for the first time since losing her £155,000-a-year BBC Radio Scotland position, describing the past five months as “brutal” following an investigation into her conduct.
The 63-year-old Loose Women panellist addressed her departure on her podcast How To Be 60, revealing the toll the disciplinary process has taken on her wellbeing.
“It’s difficult, isn’t it? You know what I mean. It’s been a brutal five months, there’s no doubt about it, and… you know it’s hard, isn’t it?” she said.
Ms Adams explained she felt conflicted about discussing the situation publicly but acknowledged her priority now is recovery.
Kaye Adams was accused of ‘bullying’ | PA
“This is a time to process things, try and get life back on track, try and get my mental health back on track, try and get my eating back on track, my sleeping back on track,” she stated.
The disciplinary investigation upheld three complaints of misconduct against the presenter. One allegation involved Ms Adams throwing a pen at a producer after becoming frustrated during a programme.
Another upheld complaint related to the presenter criticising an intern’s professional capabilities. A third incident allegedly saw Ms Adams use offensive language towards a colleague, though sources close to her have disputed this account.
Two separate bullying allegations made against the broadcaster were dismissed following the probe.
Adams was initially suspended from her role in October last year while the investigation was conducted. The inquiry concluded after five months, resulting in her departure from the corporation.
Grant Stott and Connie McLaughlin have been named as her replacements on the BBC Radio Scotland programme.
Speaking on her podcast, Ms Adams became emotional when discussing her family’s support during this challenging period.
She revealed that she travelled to Edinburgh the weekend following her departure to spend time with her daughters, Charley and Bonnie.
Kaye Adams’ friends have deemed her BBC axe ‘ageist and sexist’
| GETTY
“We just had a lovely day because I haven’t been as present for them as they’re used to, which has been a real sadness,” Ms Adams said.
The presenter described walking with the family dog and simply listening to her children talk about their lives as “really nice”.
Fighting back tears, she praised her daughters for their unwavering support, saying: “You’re the Mum, you’re the adult – it’s your job to look after them.”
Ms Adams added that she wanted to focus on recovery for the sake of her husband, tennis coach Ian Campbell, and their children.
The BBC confirmed Kaye Adam’s departure last week
| BBC
Ms Adams’ candor in addressing her exit led to several of her fans to flock to social media to send their messages of support her way.
Reacting to the a clip of the podcast, one Instagram user wrote: “You take care Kaye, be kind to yourself and just take time to get yourself back to you. It all sounds so pathetic and certainly not worthy of all the stress to you & your family. Politics, that’s what it sounds like. Big hugs.”
A second weighed in: “@kayeadamsofficial in the midst of change, I hope you’re taking the time to be kind to yourself. Take care, big love.”
“Sending you lots of love Kaye,” a third weighed in. “You’re such a strong, Kind, Amazing and inspiring lady, We all love you and we all think the world of you, You have a heart of gold and you’re an incredible talent too, I hope you’re taking the time to be kind to yourself, Take care, Thinking of you and sending you so much love, Hugs and positive thoughts.”
“My heart sank for you @kayeadamsofficial this morning when I listened to the Wednesday catchup. We all love you and don’t believe a word, sending love,” a fourth said, before a fifth commented: “”@kayeadamsofficial sending love , on to bigger and better things. Xx. ” (sic)
Kaye Adams with her Loose Women co-stars | GETTY
Ms Adams had been a fixture at BBC Radio Scotland for 15 years, initially hosting the phone-in programme Call Kaye before it was reformatted as Mornings with…, which she presented several times weekly.
Sources close to the presenter have condemned her dismissal as “sexist and a stitch-up”, noting she had worked at the corporation “without issue” throughout her tenure.
The insider questioned whether “a couple of frustrated exchanges is worth someone losing their job” and claimed Adams had raised concerns with management about feeling unsupported with an inexperienced team.
Her colleagues at ITV’s Loose Women, where she remains a regular panellist, have publicly backed her since the suspension began. Fellow presenters Denise Welch and Nadia Sawalha are among those who have voiced their support.