Three cheers for Miriam O'Reilly

The BBC has a bloody nose thanks to the persistence of TV presenter and journalist Miriam O'Reilly. Yesterday she won her case of discrimination on the grounds of age against the BBC. The 53-year-old broadcaster argued that the BBC dropped her on the grounds that she was too old for primetime television. From a primetime television show that is co-presented by 68-year-old John Craven. How does that work?

O'Reilly is an experienced journalist and broadcaster as is Craven. So why drop one and not the other? Is there something wrong with her way of presenting or speaking? Does she speak with sibilantly? No, but Craven does. He is also over the age of retirement. So should he be dropped as well? No, of course not. He does a good job.

The only reason I can see why O'Reilly was dropped was her gender. She is not totty. But she's not unattractive, however, in a world where television executives seem to grow younger by the day the obsession with looks seems to override talent and experience.

The fragrant Ms O'Reilly has won her case. She has also won the argument for all those other talented television presenters, journalists, actors, etc who the BBC would like to see put out to grass.

Three cheers for Miriam O'Reilly.