BBC presenter Jeremy Vine has insisted he’s “cool” with the corporate’s obvious “ageist” coverage in direction of his older expertise after bosses Ken despatched Bruce and Steve Wright away for youthful DJs.
Vine, 58, has hosted his Radio 2 lunchtime present since taking up from Sir Jimmy Young in 2003.
Speaking to Kaye Adams and Karen MacKenzie’s How to be 60 podcast, the host stated, “We have to accept that because what you can’t do is say how unfair. Look – the unfair thing is we’ve been doing it for so long! I think I’ll actually be cool with it. I think I do.’
The BBC has come under fire for replacing a host of ‘older’ talents including Bruce, Wright and Vanessa Feltz with younger DJs such as Vernon Kay and Scott Mills – accusing the broadcaster of ‘age discrimination’.
Jeremy Vine has said he is ‘cool’ with BBC bosses who are ‘ageist’ towards older talent
It comes after the BBC has broadcast a host of ‘older’ talents such as Ken Bruce (pictured after moving to Greatest Hits Radio), Vanessa Feltz and Steve Wright
Vine insisted he had discussed the matter with close friend and fellow Beeb presenter Fiona Bruce, 59, saying they would ‘go to lunch and say it was great’.
He said Sir Jimmy Young, whom he replaced, was “so angry” when informed to depart that he refused to have lunch with him.
But Jeremy’s strategy to leaving the BBC is far more relaxed, he insisted. He added: ‘Suddenly I’m the oldest now! I used to be the youngest for ages. I’ve interviewed each prime minister since 1997. I believe that’s an awesome asset!’
Bruce, 72, left the BBC in March after internet hosting his BBC 2 mid-morning present since 1986. He was changed by Kay, 49, in a call that appeared to depart followers in tears and a few vowing by no means to take heed to Radio 2 once more. after Bruce left for Greatest Hits Radio.
His program from 9:30 to 12:00, together with the every day PopMaster quiz, was the preferred on British radio with over 8.5 million listeners per week. A BBC spokesman confirmed on the time that he had been provided a brand new contract to remain, however had chosen to go to a rival.
Other stars concerned within the exodus embody Steve Wright, 68, changed by Scott Mills, 50, and Vanessa Feltz, 60, who accused bosses of “relentlessly chasing a younger audience.”
Meanwhile, former X-Factor contestant Rylan Clark, 34, now presents a three-hour Saturday afternoon present because the BBC tries to herald much more younger blood.
Other stars caught up within the exodus embody Steve Wright (left), 68, changed by Scott Mills, 50 (proper)
Meanwhile, former X-Factor contestant Rylan Clark, 34, now presents a three-hour Saturday afternoon present for the BBC
And the late star Paul O’Grady, 67, introduced his departure final 12 months, with sources near him telling the Mail On Sunday he felt there was an age challenge surrounding his departure.
Feltz claimed she was let go by the broadcaster after she handed 60. She stated earlier this 12 months that older presenters are ‘not appreciated in the same way’, including: ‘The music isn’t as interesting as a result of they’ve modified it to attraction to a youthful viewers that they’re so determined for’.
She informed ITV’s This Morning: ‘Think of all the people who have left: Paul O’Grady is gone. I went. Steve Wright is there, however not a lot. Chris Evans has left. Graham Norton too.
Radio 2 has tried to modernize in latest months by taking part in much less music from earlier than the Nineties and bringing in youthful DJs, together with from Radio 1.
Jeremy Vine stated if requested to depart he and Fiona Bruce would exit for a ‘big lunch’
Vanessa Feltz claimed she was let go by the Beeb after she handed 60