Robinson (age 64): All TV is sexist and ageist Lumley (age 63): We're old crones, get over it

Published on Monday 31 August 2009 22:02

THE self-styled "Queen of Mean" Anne Robinson has taken a swipe at her own industry, accusing "all television" of being "sexist and ageist".

The 64-year-old, who is returning as a Watchdog presenter after eight years fronting The Weakest Link, said she would be out of a job "if there was a lovely blonde with huge breasts and long legs" who had her experience and wit.

She added: "There are a lot of pretty young things with not much talent appearing on television and I don't think that young guys who are not as attractive would get those gigs."

However, Joanna Lumley, who today launched her upcoming ITV show Catwoman – exploring the good and bad relationships between humans and felines – said she had not encountered ageism in TV. But she added it was only realistic to face up to the "fact" that the camera loves a young person.

The Absolutely Fabulous actress, 63, said: "If you are old you're not going to play young leads any more, that's a fact. In the film world, the camera loves a young person, man or woman. That's a fact.

"In the acting game, there have always been ten parts for men to two parts for women. That's a fact. None of these things are ever going to change. So absorb it, live with it, get over it."

Ms Lumley added: "You can say 'have you ever had any ageism?' to Judi Dench. Well, the answer is she plays M but she doesn't play the Bond girl. And she wouldn't have done it anyway, but she's not even asked to do it, because she's her age and Bond girls are 22.

"I think we've got to be a bit sensible about this."

Asked about the furore surrounding the axing of choreographer Arlene Phillips, 66, as a Strictly Come Dancing judge, Ms Lumley said: "I think Arlene Phillips is now called dance goddess of the nation or something so that's OK.

"Result Arlene, better than sitting in a chair just going: 'good, bad, good, bad,' she's out there leading classes. So she's won."

Annette Lamb, 60, press and marketing manager for Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh, is also pragmatic about the role of older women in the media.

The organiser of this month's Lunch With An Old Bag charity event at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh, in aid of the Prince's Trust, said: "Television and films should be about playing the part that you fit into. It's obvious you are not going to get a role that physically you would not be able to do unless you have had a lot of surgery done.

"But it cuts both ways – I did the Cairngorms challenge at the weekend and was the oldest person there, but still came in before a lot of people younger than myself. You just do not see yourself as an age, you fit into something you are comfortable with."

A spokeswoman for Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland said: "The notion that television apparently favours younger over older women sends out an incredibly negative message, suggesting that as women grow older they are no longer valued or trusted."

A recent ICM poll showed that 80 per cent thought television favours younger women. Viewers also thought there should be more older women reading the news.