Radio 1’s remix hits older stars
THE BBC is facing fresh accusations of ageism as two of Radio 1’s most high-profile female presenters are replaced by younger rivals.
After eight years hosting her morning show, well-respected DJ Jo Whiley is being dropped from her popular slot, with Fearne Cotton taking over.
Cotton, 27, who co-hosts weekend shows at the station, will take over 44-year-old Whiley’s coveted weekly 10am slot and Live Lounge segment in September. The mother of four will move to a new weekend programme on the station.
In a major shake-up aimed at drawing younger listeners, Scottish presenter Edith Bowman, 35, who became a mother last year, is departing her lunchtime weekday show for a breakfast weekend programme.
She will be replaced by early morning presenter Greg James, who at 23 joined the station from university.
The only shows whose presenters remain unchanged are 35-year-oldChris Moyles’s breakfast slot and 35-year-old Scott Mills’s drive time.
The changes are likely to attract yet more criticism of the corporation and its obsession with young audiences.
As little as a week ago the Beeb was accused of being biased against older women after judge Arlene Phillips, 66, was axed from TV series Strictly Come Dancing with 30-year-old Alesha Dixon replacing her.
Equality minister Harriet Harman told the Commons yesterday that she believed Phillips was a victim of “age discrimination”.
Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt said: “BBC Radio 1 must continue to change to connect with a new generation of audiences and this is a significant move, promoting three of our up and coming broadcasters into the heart of the schedule.”