BBC1 'has too few over-50s'

Ageism is still a problem in parts of the BBC, according to a report published today claiming that its flagship channel, BBC1, has fewer presenters and actors over 50 than its rival ITV1. The study, which examined a week's worth of TV output, found that BBC2 had the highest proportion of actors and presenters aged over 50, with 37%, but BBC1 had just 20% of its presenters and cast members aged over 50%, compared with 27% on ITV1. Channel 4 had only 12% of presenters actors aged 50 or over, while Channel Five had none at all. Overall, The Older Faces Audit, by the market research consultants PCP, found that 22% of presenters and cast members were over 50, compared with 34% of the general population. The study, commissioned by the retirement village company Anchor, monitored TV programmes on the five main terrestrial channels from 20 February to 26 February. The study will come as a blow to the BBC, which hoped to put aside accusations of ageism made after it removed Arlene Phillips, 66, from Strictly Come Dancing last year and replaced her with Alesha Dixon, 30. After that row the BBC decided to hire Julia Sommerville, Carole Walker, Fiona Armstrong and Zeinab Badawi – all aged over 50 – to present the news on BBC News Channel. But the report found BBC1 had fewer older people on screen in its soaps and news programmes than ITV1, with 28% of news presenters on BBC1 over 50, behind 31% on ITV1. It also found 23% of cast members on BBC1 soaps were aged over 50, while 25% of cast members on ITV1 soaps were aged over 50. The report also surveyed 1,020 adults, finding the public perceived Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Deal or No Deal as the best programmes for depicting older people. The X Factor and Top Gear were perceived as the worst. 36% of respondents said Coronation Street gave a positive depiction of older people, ahead of BBC1's EastEnders on 28%. Coronation Street was praised by viewers for depicting older people as "valid characters", "integral to the plotline" and "useful and valued members of the local community". "The older characters are strong, give advice to the younger ones, are loved and important," said one female respondent about Coronation Street, which respondents said gave the most positive impression of old people. The X Factor gave the most negative impression of old people. "Old people are only shown to get a few easy laughs," said one male respondent. However, there was also praise for the BBC, with the largest number of respondents – 30% – thinking the BBC presenter Sir David Attenborough gave the most positive portrayal of older people, followed by Sir Trevor McDonald (14%) and Bruce Forsyth (9%). The BBC said: "Whilst we welcome any research into our output, and are pleased that BBC2 has been identified as having the highest representation of older people in UK broadcast media, we do not believe that a one-week sample study is an accurate reflection of the BBC's output throughout the year. The reality is that we have a very wide range of artists on the BBC including presenters and actors such as Sheila Hancock, Arlene Phillips, Sir David Attenborough and Julia Somerville as well as other new faces who we hope will be with us for years to come." The study found the older the presenter, the worse the gender disparity got. Female presenters and cast members were less likely to be aged over 50 than men. Only 20% of female presenters and cast members were aged over 50 compared with 25% of men. Gameshows were more likely to be fronted by people aged 50 or over than any other type of programme, with Anne Robinson on The Weakest Link, John Humphrys on Mastermind and Eggheads regulars Daphne Fowler and Judith Keppel all aged over 65. 30% of gameshow presenters were aged 65 or over while 75% were aged 50 or over. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".