'Youth cult' warning to BBC

Published on Sunday 2 August 2009 22:46

CULTURE Secretary Ben Bradshaw has warned the BBC not to pander to the "cult of youth" in the wake of the removal of 66-year-old dance expert Arlene Phillips from Strictly Come Dancing.

Mr Bradshaw said it would "not be acceptable" if Ms Phillips was replaced on the television show on grounds of her age, though he accepted that BBC bosses may have had other reasons for their decision.

His comment came as Conservative broadcasting spokesman Ed Vaizey floated the idea of selling off Radio 1 to the commercial sector. Although party sources stressed this has not been discussed as a policy, Mr Vaizey said there was "a good argument" for allowing private broadcasters to use the FM frequency.

Commenting on the axing of Ms Phillips in favour of 30-year-old former Strictly winner Alesha Dixon, Mr Bradshaw said: "The cult of youth has its limits, and rightly so.

"It's important they (the BBC] reflect society as a whole."