BBC management has given its side of the story in the employment tribunal of former Countryfile presenter Miriam O’Reilly – who claims she lost her job because she was too old.
The Guardian reports BBC head of rural affairs Andrew Thorman who told the tribunal: “The decision about Miriam was based purely on her profile not on her ability as a journalist. No prejudice crept in there…
“[former BBC1 controller] Jay Hunt made it absolutely clear to me that she did not think Miriam had the necessary profile to go forward. I believe the channel controller is the best person to know who they want on their channel.”
O’Reilly previously claimed that she was dropped after being told that her wrinkles would not look good in HD.
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