The Campaign For Real Music
Intelligent Music for Grown-Ups

Arlene Phillips may be grabbing all the headlines, but the suspicion that the BBC may be guilty of ageism is nothing new. Let’s fact it, what’s been going on at Radio 2 in the past decade hardly favours anyone over the age of 50 does it?  In the past few years, we’ve seen older presenters farmed off to local radio or handed their P45s, and in many cases their replacements seem to have been chosen as much for their youth as their talent. Recent examples include:

• Sheila Tracy’s role on Big Band Special being taken over by Clare Teal.
• Sheridon Morley’s job on Melodies For You being taken over by Alan Titchmarsh.
• Malcolm Laycock’s show being taken over by Clare Teal.
• Don McLean’s replacement being Aled Jones.
• Jimmy Young being replaced by Jeremy Vine.
• Friday Night Is Music Night being no longer presented by Richard Baker or Brian Kaye but instead we have Clare Teal and Aled Jones.
• More recently, Chris Evans taking over from Terry Wogan.
• Bill Rennells, Colin Berry, Steve Madden, Christ Stuart, Brian Kaye and many other “veteran” broadcasters no longer being deemed worthy of their own shows.
• Its longest serving presenter, and surely the greatest living broadcaster, being farmed off to the 11pm on a Sunday slot.

Admittedly, a couple of the above mentioned departees may have done so out of choice and were probably more than ready to enjoy their retirement. Or at least, that’s the official BBC stance. But many were in fact not. And, rather than look to the most talented and experienced and deserving for the replacement, in virtually every case the BBC Radio 2 management has gone for the young celebrity option every time. In many cases, this has been irrespective of the broadcasting pedigree of the young pretenders.

What counts - on radio at least – is an individual’s quality, ability and connection with the audience. Many of the “unwanted” persons listed above, such as Bill Rennells and Colin Berry, are still broadcasting in a “lesser” capacity on local radio. By “lesser” we mean less high profile, lower audiences and ultimately less well paid. We wonder how Claire Teal’s salary for presenting her shows compares to that which was paid to Sheila Tracy and Maclolm Laycock?

The vast experience and professionalism of the older broadcasters makes it near impossible for a younger generation to match their exemplary broadcasting abilities.

It is not the fault of the Claire Teals and Aled Joneses of the world that they are not as good as the individuals they replaced. They simply do not have the years of broadcasting experience to warrant, at this stage in their careers, the roles they have been gifted.

Why do these younger individuals get the nod over the unfashionable older generation every time? It is clear from the wealth of comments here that this is not in response to demand from Radio 2’s listeners, in fact quite the contrary. Fashion should have no place in radio, but at Radio 2 it appears to be the deciding factor.

Therefore, it is all too easy to conclude that it this is nothing more than ageism. These individuals are perceived as “too old” for a new generation to be able to relate to them. We know this is complete nonsense. Any generation, young or old, appreciates quality broadcasting and a whole, new generation is now being deprived of some the fine broadcasters that many of us have enjoyed over the years. It is patronising to today’s younger generation to assume that they all want the same thing.

Radio 2 is the ultimate loser here since the overall result of this policy is a general lowering of quality.

There is no room for meritocracy at the BBC. It seems you get where you are either by playing a clever political game, by having the right celebrity name and being the right side of 50 (preferably 40) seems to help considerably. We suspect the same is true behind the scenes, and that many of the older producers have been replaced by younger models.

So if you are at the pinnacle of your radio career, proven to be popular and have worked your way up the broadcasting ranks, but happen to be over 50, you can look forward to a long and prosperous career… on BBC local radio. Or, if you are lucky enough, perhaps reading the news on Radio 2.

Do you agree? Do let us know.

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