Will Dimbleby quit Question Time?

One of the BBC's biggest names, David Dimbleby (pictured), is believed to be considering quitting his job as the presenter of Question Time because of plans to relocate the show from its base in Bristol to the corporation's Glasgow headquarters, Pacific Quay. Dimbleby, who has presented the current affairs show since 1984, is not happy, no doubt fearing the weekly trek up north.

Although he has yet to make his views public, he is said to have expressed "dismay" to BBC executives over their decision. And he is not alone. The Daily Telegraph claims the BBC is facing a wide-scale revolt from staff after announcing plans to move the production of many of its most popular programmes - including Casualty and Crimewatch - away from their traditional bases in the south of England.

The Question Time move is scheduled for 2010, the year in which Alex Salmond, the Scottish Nationalist Party leader, is expected to hold a referendum on independence. Said a senior BBC source: "In my view it is about as politically inept as it gets to move the most popular British political programme to Scotland which is riven with nationalist fervour."

If the Scots vote for independence, the programme would have to be made in a country which has cut off all links with Westminster, or moved again. The Glasgow plan, conceived by Jana Bennett, the BBC's director of television, is not the only thing riling toilers at the Beeb. As reported here earlier this week, veteran newsman John Simpson believes cost-cutting at the BBC has left traditional public service broadcasting in its "last stages".