CBBC legend Michael Underwood has made a startling revelation about his departure from the children's television channel, claiming he was abruptly sacked in a move that left him 'gobsmacked'. The former presenter, who was a regular face on CBBC from 1999 to 2002 before moving to ITV, has broken his silence on the circumstances surrounding his exit.
Unexpected Dismissal
Underwood, now 50 and married to fellow CBBC star Angellica Bell, took to TikTok to share his story, admitting he had avoided discussing it for years. He stated that he had no desire to leave CBBC, describing it as a place where he had many friends and enjoyed going to work every day. However, a change in management led to a meeting that he assumed would be about renewing his contract, but instead resulted in him being told it was time to move on.
Underwood recounted the conversation: 'Michael, you're just coming up to your three years at CBBC, I think you've had a great run up till this point but now it's time for you to move on.' He described feeling completely blindsided and 'gobsmacked', unable to process the news.
Move to ITV
After informing his wife Angellica, who herself had been unexpectedly sacked from the Martin Lewis Money Show after six years, she reportedly advised him to consider ITV. Underwood revealed that ITV offered him twice the salary and three guaranteed new shows, an offer he initially resisted as he wanted to stay at CBBC. However, after the BBC boss who fired him later offered a one-year contract following Christmas, Underwood decided against it and made the move to ITV permanent.
The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment on Underwood's claims.
