However, the popularity of the programme, dealing as it did with matters of controversy and politics, caused complaints of left-wing bias from within the BBC and from commentators outside. The BBC attempted to modify the format of the programme to avoid this but also sought to avoid damaging the shows popularity. With military criticism of "Sincerely Yours", general complaints about the bawdy humour in "Shipmates Ashore" and political criticism of "The Brains Trust", the BBC sought a scapegoat and pressured Howard Thomas to leave. In 1944, he resigned.