The chair of BBC Children in Need has resigned within a month of his appointment after being convicted of causing serious injury through careless driving.
Terrence Duddy was driving through Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, on 21 June, when he knocked a woman in her fifties off her bike with his BMW.
Four months later, on 21 October, he joined the BBC Children in Need board of trustees as chair, saying it was a “privilege” to secure the role.
However, Duddy has now stepped down after being convicted and sentenced over the crash.
Duddy was given an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, after admitting to causing serious injury by careless and inconsiderate driving at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on 13 November.
He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service in the next 12 months, disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined costs totalling £272.
In a statement issued on Thursday, BBC Children in Need said: “On Tuesday 18 November, our new Chair Terry Duddy informed us that he had been convicted last week of causing serious injury through careless driving.
“In light of this he offered his resignation, which the board accepted, agreeing he could not continue in this role.
“James Fairclough, a Trustee since 2021, has been formally appointed chair with immediate effect. We remain focused on helping children and young people thrive.”
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Thames Valley Police has shared footage of the collision.
In the video, the cyclist can be seen travelling south on the High Street in Chalfont St Giles, heading towards its junction with The Green.
Duddy, travelling north, then turns right at the junction, crossing the cyclist’s path and causing the collision.
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In a statement alongside the clip, the force wrote: “The cyclist had right of way and a moment of carelessness from the driver, by not properly checking the road was clear to cross, has had a life-changing impact on the cyclist.
“Please look out for others on the road, especially vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians. We all want to go home safely to our families.”
At the time of his appointment, BBC Children In Need described Duddy as someone with a “wealth of governance and leadership experience across both the charity and commercial sectors”.
