TV gender age gap 'closing'

THE age gap between male and female prime-time television stars may be closing, according to an investigation by the Radio Times.

Researchers looked at the average ages of those seen in programmes on ITV and BBC1 between 7pm and 10:30pm from the past six decades. In 2010, the average age for female presenters and performers was 40 years and two months, compared with 32 years and seven months in 1950. The average age for men was unchanged at 46 years and nine months.

No more than three people from each show were considered, and those with top billing were first to be included.