The BBC had also recently revealed it planned to reduce the team behind the coverage of national occasions, such as royal and state events.The BBC will cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of its biggest downsize in 15 years.

Staff were told of the news of redundancies during an all-staff call at 3pm on Wednesday but were not given details of who would be affected.

The cuts would mark the biggest round of job cuts at the BBC in almost 15 years.

They come as the broadcaster attempts to reduce costs by 10% over the next three years.

In February, it was revealed it aimed to reduce spending by hundreds of millions of pounds within this timeframe as it continues to face “substantial financial pressures”.

The latest cuts, initially reported by the Financial Times, come as former Google boss, Matt Brittin, prepares to take over as director-general next month.

The BBC also recently revealed plans to drastically reduce the team behind the coverage of national occasions such as royal and state events.

Interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, who led the all-staff meeting and will head the corporation until Mr Brittin takes over on 18 May, told staff the corporation needs to save an additional £500m over the next two years.

He said: “All of this needs to be done with real care – for our audiences and, of course, for all of you.

“I know this is challenging news, and we’ll need to work closely together to build our plans.

“My commitment to you is that we’ll do everything possible to try to reduce the strain and uncertainty that change of this kind brings.”