Comedian and science writer Robin Ince has shocked his followers by revealing he will no longer appear on his BBC Radio 4 show, The Infinite Monkey Cage, after shock resignation
Comedian Robin Ince has quit his BBC Radio job in protest over being “silenced” over his personal views. The 56-year-old comedian and writer is known for co-hosting the BBC Radio 4 show The Infinite Monkey Cage alongside Professor Brian Cox.
He has helmed the show since 2009, but felt compelled to walk away from the show after 16 years of service, as he allegedly faced being forced to “quieten” about his political beliefs. The Infinite Monkey Cage won over fans by looking at the world through a scientific lens – and adding comedic observations in the process.
However, Robin has accused the BBC of leaving him no option but to quit the series, claiming that bosses were objecting to his views on transgender issues, political movements, and other topics. Rather than censor himself, the comedian opted to resign from the show in order to speak out further.
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In a lengthy post shared via Bluesky, Robin explained that listeners will no longer hear his voice on the show. He wrote: “This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage.”
He went on: “I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until I dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys.”
Robin then went on to clarify that he had not been fired from the series, but rather, he had decided to leave the show. He explained: “I resigned in September, after 16 years of dedication to the show, a show that I named and helped develop over all those years.
“Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for some time, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter.”
The stand-up star – who has opened shows for Ricky Gervais in the past and also performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – went on to claim he was backed into a corner that gave him no other option than to quit his show. He went on to claim: “In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain in Monkey Cage, or ‘Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices.’ I chose the latter. It broke my heart.”
Appealing to his listeners, he continued: “I love this show, and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open-mindedness, and empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn’t pamper myself with the luxury of silence.”
He went on further: “One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign, and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. Despite this, I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not ‘Just a job.'”
Ending with something of a manifesto for his future, he wrote: “I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists, too.”
Robin’s announcement has sparked a flurry of comments on social media – ranging from those expressing distress over his resignation from the show, to others questioning if he may not have resigned. Others have targeted his co-star, suggesting Brian Cox should resign in solidarity, and others, feeling the show cannot continue without the presence of the co-founder.
