Martin Bashir 'convinces' BBC to delay Panorama report on bombshell Princess Diana interview in case it damages his health - and now it may NEVER be shown

• BBC bosses are insisting the screening of programme has just been postponed
• It may never be shown due to BBC decision to go public this week with findings
• Report believed to contain criticism of Bashir and BBC managers at the time 

Insiders fear that a BBC Panorama investigation into the tactics used by Martin Bashir to secure his bombshell interview with Princess Diana may never be broadcast.

Bosses at the Corporation insist that screening of the programme – commissioned to examine allegations that Mr Bashir lied to convince the Princess into agreeing to the 1995 encounter – has just been postponed.

The Mail on Sunday understands that the team working on the programme have been told of concerns about Mr Bashir's health.

In recent months he has battled Covid and undergone a quadruple heart bypass. The 58-year-old stood down last week as the BBC's religion editor, it was announced.

It is widely believed that both the Panorama programme and the Dyson report will contain criticism of Mr Bashir and managers at the BBC at the time of the interview.

But sources at the BBC suspect it may never be shown because of the decision to go public this week with the findings of an inquiry into Mr Bashir's behaviour. 

The Panorama special had been scheduled for tomorrow, but the outcome of an inquiry, led by Lord Dyson, is expected within days.

One Corporation insider said: 'There is a real possibility it might not be shown at all. Why would the BBC put out a programme about the BBC after the Dyson report?'  

A source said: 'The Panorama team have been allowed to make the programme they wanted to make – they just can't transmit it.'

However, others believe it may still be feasible to show the programme but only if it is screened on the same day that the Dyson report is released.

'In its current form it would have to be canned,' sources said. 'Changes would have to be made to ensure it stayed viable.'

John Ware, the veteran reporter working on the new Panorama programme, last night declined to comment.