Michael Buerk labels axed BBC3 as ‘drivel’
Long-standing BBC presenter Michael Buerk has taken a pot shot at colleagues who bemoan losing their job alongside their looks, claiming that they hold double standards having relied on their appearance to get the job in the first place.
Buerk made the remark whilst savaging the recently axed BBC3, whom he accused of airing content at ‘the embarrassing end of drivel’, following a spate of axed presenters alleging a culture of ageism within the corporation.
Speaking to the Radio Times Buerk said: “…if you got the job in the first place mainly because you look nice, I can't see why you should keep it when you don't.”
It is thought this remark could relate to the likes of newsreader Anna Ford, who claims employees aged 60 and over are discriminated against and Countryfile presenter Miriam O’Reilly who won an age discrimination case against the BBC in 2011 after being axed.
Singling out shows such as Snog, Marry, Avoid? To bolster his case against BBC3 Buerk called it ‘cutting-edge tripe, adding: “The BBC had BBC3, a channel much maligned in its lifetime, mourned unconvincingly in its passing, rather like Tony Benn.
“It did launch a few good comedies, but a lot of what I saw was at the embarrassing end of drivel.”