Blog: More people are declaring that 60 is the new 40 and 70 the new 50, if you get my drift, while the very old homily that you’re only as old as you feel is regularly trotted out.

All of which is lost on or ignored by broadcasters and others who seem personally programmed to switch to the younger model, writes Shirley Tart.

Indeed, you’d think we were lined up on a car lot awaiting inspection rather than being intelligent, trained and even respectable looking women.

And I say ‘we’ advisedly because it is the female sex which has been not so subtly targeted by the likes of the BBC (and others) looking for the latest range in birdies. They always deny it, of course – they are programmed to do that as well.

So there will be cheers in the ranks of the Sisters at the news that former Countryfile host Miriam O’Reilly has won an employment tribunal against the BBC on the grounds of ageism and victimisation.

Miriam is a mere bagatelle at only 53. But in dolly-bird terms, that’s ancient to organisations who haven’t quite twigged that not all viewers, listeners or readers are hooked on the random ramblings of fresh-faced newcomers with no experience but a nicer pair of pins.

Here, I have to confess that while I am well into, even beyond, the age at which scrutiny usually begins. I am very fortunate in being seen as still in reasonable working order. I think. If I’ve spoken too soon, I’ll let you know!

As for Miriam, she pleaded unfair dismissal from the rural affairs show when it moved to a primetime Sunday evening slot in 2009 and sought compensation on grounds of both sex and age discrimination. The sexism claim was chucked out, but she won on ageism and victimisation.

The BBC graciously says it accepts the findings and will be “looking at the full details.” Well do that, Auntie.

Though to be fair, there are also spurious claims from women who assume they’ve been dumped for being female or because of their age, when actually it’s because they’re no good. I got a bit weary of Selina Scott’s constant bleatings from the Highlands or wherever she now farms, about the disgrace of how broadcasting women were treated.

But I’m with Miriam on this one. Not least because former BBC One Controller Jay Hunt used the daftest rationale to justify herself. She says: “I am a 43-year-old woman and the last thing I’d ever do is discriminate against anyone on grounds of gender or age.”

So why did Miriam have to go? Because she wasn’t recognisable to a peak time audience, says the former controller.

Well guess what, love, she won’t be unless she’s seen by peak time audiences, will she?

Let’s put it on the line. No-one should expect to hang on to a job they can’t do, whatever their age or sex. And if the best person for the job is a young man instead of an older woman, employ him. But do not use weak excuses to get rid of anyone on the grounds of age or gender.

My favourite quote on all these matters came from the ageless (actually she’s 77) Joan Collins, currently Queen Rat in panto at Birmingham and married to the lovely Percy, aged Forty Something. When asked the predictable question about the great age gap, she shrugged and said: “If he dies, he dies.”

Touche, Joanie, girl!