The BBC today fought back against allegations of ‘ageism’ by announcing it was looking for an older older female newsreader to join its presenting team.

This comes in the wake of the ongoing row over the decision to remove the experienced Arlene Phillips — aged 66 — in favour of Alesha Dixon — aged 30 — despite still employing Bruce Forsyth — aged 81 — as host and keeping the other, middle-aged male judges.

So, in the interests of balance the corporation has decided to hire an older female newsreader.

No specific minimum age has been set, but it is understood the BBC wants to recruit someone aged about 50 and hopes to make an appointment within the next 12 months.

This is an interesting decision seeing that viewers have already seen the back of experienced newsreaders such as Moiria Stuart, 55 when she left, and the then 62-year-old Anna Ford.

Their replacements, known as the ‘autocuties’, may well have been given the gig because they are brilliant at their job, but it’s hard not to think of Kate Adie’s memorable phrase about being chosen for having “cute brains and cute bottoms”.

It’s a strange old world where having experience —having knowledge — actually counts against you. Surely it should be a blessing, not a curse?

Personally, I think the news needs to be delivered by someone with a bit of gravitas, a bit of experience, and not by somebody who looks as though they served their apprenticeship on Hollyoaks.

Still, I don’t think this is the right way to go about it. Why trumpet the fact that the corporation is looking for an older newsreader? Isn’t it breaching some human rights law about age discrimination?

Here’s a radical idea: Why not just hire whoever is the best candidate and let them get on with the job?

Andrew Owen