I would agree she wasn't obliterated. and if he had been a politician he would have expected to be asked questions outside those he had been asked on for. But these sort of interviews are usually meant to promote what the interviewee is doing. Look at the Graham Norton show. I enjoy it mut much of it is just a plug for what the guests are currently doing.
If Tom Cruise was on and Graham suddenly said "Now Tom I would like your views on scientology" he would get very short shrift.
The first general question about cancel culture was probably acceptable.But then she asked a second after which it was pretty obvious he wantd to get the interview back to where it was intended. She didn't take the hint and aslked a third question at w3hich point he quite rightly felt he had had enough.
I don't think he was afraid to develop any question she asked,he just didn't want to. Which is his right.
As he said at one point it is a very complex subject. If the BBC had wanted the interview to be about that they shouild have made it plain before hand