'A diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain': Lenny Henry among stars calling to stop cuts

The Government was today setting out plans for reforms to the BBC, which are believed to include scrapping shows like The Voice and replacing the licence fee with a household tax.

The BBC has already been told to fund TV licences for the over-75s at a cost of £650 million.

But now a host of stars of TV, radio and film have signed a letter warning the Prime Minister that 'a diminished BBC would mean a diminished Britain'.

Along with Dudley born Lenny Henry, signatories include the author JK Rowling; actors Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Mark Rylance and Dame Judi Dench; comedians David Walliams, Miranda Hart and Michael McIntyre; screenwriters Steven Moffatt and Richard Curtis; and historian Simon Schama.

Some of the BBC's highest-profile presenters have lent their names to the letter, among them Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Claudia Winkleman, Graham Norton and Chris Evans.

Prof Brian Cox, Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Lord Bragg, Adil Ray and Jamie Oliver also appear in the list, alongside radio presenters Clara Amfo, Nick Grimshaw, Trevor Nelson, Annie Nightingale and Reggie Yates.

The letter states: "We have seen that the Government has pledged to modernise the licence fee, return funding that had been diverted to pay for broadband roll-out, and increase the licence fee in line with inflation in return for the BBC taking on the costs of licence fees for the over-75s.

"The Government and the BBC are now entering the charter review.

"We are writing to place on record at the very start of the process our concern that nothing should be done to diminish the BBC or turn it into a narrowly focused market-failure broadcaster.

"In our view, a diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain.

"The BBC is a very precious institution. Like all organisations, it has its faults but it is overwhelmingly a creative force for good.

"Britain's creative economy is growing and enjoying unprecedented success.

"The BBC is at the heart of this as the global showcase for our creative industries.

"The BBC is trusted and loved at home by British audiences and is the envy of the world abroad."

BBC director-general Tony Hall criticised plans to reduce the corporation's commercial activity as he unveiled moves to generate £1 billion from hit shows including Doctor Who and Top Gear.

Speaking at the launch of the BBC's annual report, he said the recent funding agreement in the run-up to the Budget was 'not a good process' but was now settled.

Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has appointed an eight-person panel to work on the renewal of the BBC's royal charter - which sets out the corporation's remit - which runs out at the end of next year.

It has been reported that some in government favour scrapping the BBC's rolling news channel, scaling back its website and cutting expensive entertainment shows