A weather presenter who revealed this week she is quitting the BBC says she was paid 50 percent less than a male colleague.
Abbie Dewhurst announced she was stepping down after a ‘glorious’ eight-year long stint with the corporation in an emotional post on social media this week.
But in another social media post the 30-year-old, who joined BBC Yorkshire as a staff weather presenter in May 2016, highlighted the huge pay gap between her and a male colleague when she started.
In a post on social media site TikTok to mark International Women’s Day on March 8, Abbie took aim at her employer’s gender pay gap and male-dominated managers.
She said: ‘I’m a female weather presenter, of course I was paid almost 50% less than my male colleague when I first started.
‘I’m a female weather presenter, of course 90% of the people I meet regarding career progression are men.’
While Abbie didn’t name the male presenter, she is understood to be referring to long-term BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire weather presenter Paul Hudson, 53.
While the BBC doesn’t disclose most staff salaries, jobs site Glassdoor estimates weather presenters earn an average of £84,000.
Last year, the Mail on Sunday revealed the corporation employs 45 weather forecasters, 22 national and 23 regional, funded through the £169.50 licence fee.
Abbie shared a number of photos reminiscing about some highlights during her role, which included a tandem bike ride with Peter Levy for Children in Need in 2017, reporting from Wimbledon and hosting a show on national radio.
She wrote on Instagram: ‘The only thing crazier than landing your dream job is handing your notice in for it… A long, emotional caption so buckle up.
‘Eight years ago today I walked into BBC Yorkshire as a staff weather presenter for the first time and, in spite of the initial 2.30am alarms, have been living my actual dream in this amazing corporation ever since.
She reluctantly added that ‘all good things must come to an end’ before telling her friend and colleagues ‘there aren’t enough thank yous in the world to everyone who has made this journey so marvellous’.
Abbie explained she first joined the BBC as ‘an excited 22-year-old (what a baby I was) and have spent eight glorious years waking up before the sun’.
In that time she said she has ‘met some wonderful people, a handful of which will become lifelong friends’.
‘We’ve been through a global pandemic, royal events both good and bad, extreme heat, devastating floods, General Elections, I’ve been thrown down a hill in a soap box in Bradford, hosted a show on national radio, reported from Wimbledon, covered stories about pigs and viral social media videos and most memorably, took part in a Children in Need tandem bike ride with Peter Levy.
‘I’ll share more in the next few weeks around the future but felt it apt on my eight-year weather anniversary to take a look back and reminisce on what really has been a dream come true.’
Abbie ended the post by saying: ‘Thank you for welcoming me onto your screens, into your radios and onto your phones.
‘It’s been a privilege that’s not lost on me. The future is looking bright.’
Abbie also shared a picture in her post revealing she had initially been rejected from the BBC after applying for a work experience role, before she eventually landed a permanent job in 2016.
Since announcing the news earlier this week, Abbie said she had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the ‘lovely messages’ from viewers.
She added: ‘Thank you so much for the outpouring of love!’
Abbie returned to work this morning as she took to X, formerly Twitter to share a video of her segment on the BBC’s Looking North programme, with the caption: ‘Sunshine to start but not for long’.
Abbie lives in Leeds with her husband Jake Goldby and their eight-year-old rescue dog Ruby.
The BBC presenter announced in August 2020 that she had tied the knot with Jake two years after they got engaged in 2018.
The ceremony took place on August 8, after it was postponed by just over nine weeks as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Abbie took to X at the time to tell her followers about the delay. She wrote: ‘Today, my prom date and I were supposed to marry in the Italian countryside.
‘We might not be married but we are so lucky to be surrounded by incredible people who have sent so much love.
‘We’ll have one hell of a party when we can – as my grandad said, ‘Love will always win’ ❤️’
A BBC spokesperson earlier htis week on hearing she was leaving said: ‘Abbie will be sorely missed by colleagues and viewers alike.
‘She’s had eight fantastic years with us and we wish her the best of luck in the next chapter.’
In response to her equal pay post, the spokesman said: ‘The video is clearly a take on a viral trend posted for International Women’s Day back in March.
‘Abbie has a great relationship with the BBC and we take equal pay very seriously as our progress in this area demonstrates.
‘The BBC’s gender pay gap is less than 5%.’