27th-August-2008
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 | Men's rights activist | | | |
'Paxo's just suffering a mid-life crisis,' says Anna Ford | |
From the Daily Mail: 'Paxo's just suffering a mid-life crisis,' says Anna Ford after he claims BBC discriminate against white middle-class men Quote:
Veteran newscaster Anna Ford has accused former colleague Jeremy Paxman of suffering from a 'mid-life crisis' after he said the BBC discriminates against white middle-class men.
She accused Paxo of being 'very grumpy' following his claims that it is increasingly difficult for men to succeed within the organisation.
Anna, 64, who parted company with the BBC in 2006 amid allegations of ageism, claimed in Telegraph's Mandrake: 'He's become very grumpy lately and that's what I imagine lies behind this outburst.
'It is very sad that he appears to feel so threatened by change or having to compete with women or people from other countries or backgrounds.
'White, middle-class males have had it all their own way at the BBC since the days of Lord Reith and it is frankly amazing the extent to which they still have it their own way in the new millennium.'
The comments come after Paxo, 58, recorded a rant aired at the this month's Edinburgh Festival.
In the interview the outspoken Newsnight host said white middle-class men should give up all hope of landing a top job with Auntie.
He said: 'The worst thing you can be in this industry is a middle-class white male. If I come across any that say they want to enter TV I say give up all hope. They've no chance.'
But Miss Ford, who says she's been told her contract presenting Radio 4's Gardeners' Quiz will not be renewed, added men are allowed to grow old on TV - but not women.
She said: 'Where are all the grey-haired women?
'A very large chunk of the population is now made up of women over 55 but they are certainly not represented on television.
'I can think of any number of old men working in television past retirement age but a woman is still very lucky if she can keep working on screen anywhere near to that point.'
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