Matthijs van Nieuwkerk says through his good friend Özcan Akyol that he is ‘sad’, but BNNVARA does not seem impressed. Meanwhile, Johan Derksen suggests a transfer to Talpa.
It seems that Matthijs van Nieuwkerk’s TV career is about to explode. De Volkskrant revelations about his misconduct have hit hard and because he showed no remorse in his first response to the newspaper, BNNVARA now openly doubts the cooperation with Matthijs.
Sad
Matthijs is quite sad, says his good friend Özcan Akyol in the Today Inside of yesterday evening. “I called him this morning because we knew we were going to have this conversation. He looked very shaken. Sad. I also think I was overwhelmed.”
He continues: “I don’t think he thought this would be this big, because it is very big, isn’t it. I mean: Buitenhof, Nieuwsuur, Renzo also yesterday (means Renze, ed.).”
Declaration
What about the first statement that Matthijs sent to de Volkskrant? “I don’t know exactly what it was, but it was not appreciated by the broadcaster, so he had given a new statement. They asked, “Are you sorry?” “Of course I’m sorry.” “Would you mind making that clearer?” And I think those names had to be removed.”
Özcan refers to the former colleagues that Matthijs lashed out at in that first statement. BNNVARA was not happy about that. “I know they are going to talk to each other next week, but I also have the idea – that is my interpretation, he did not tell me – that he feels abandoned by BNNVARA because he does not feel supported. ”
BNNVARA responds
What does BNNVARA say today, after a weekend full of Matthijs fuss? The broadcaster confirms de Volkskrant it is not appropriate to find that the presenter lashed out at two former colleagues in his first statement. “We felt this was inappropriate because it should – and should – be a public and personal apology.”
And then? “We then indicated that it is essential for us that he acknowledges to employees that he has crossed boundaries.”
Matthijs then sent a second statement, but BNNVARA is not convinced. “We have to question the sincerity of this second statement as it came about after we informed Matthijs van Nieuwkerk that we were disappointed with the first statement.”
To Talpa?
Johan Derksen states in Today Inside that this is the ultimate moment for John de Mol to strike. “This is the perfect opportunity… That Matthijs naturally feels abandoned by the VARA. I don’t think Matthijs wants to go any further either. This is the chance for John de Mol to get him to the commercials. This is the chance to catch him.”
For the presentation of the ailing HLF8? “Whatever. He has never been interested in the commercials, but this could be a reason.”
