Should radio presenters have regional accents?

THERE is nothing wrong with radio presenters with regional accents (Letters), but what the BBC has got wrong is the lack of diction. The role of radio presenter should be given to the right person for the job, regardless of gender. I have to switch off Zoe Ball because of her awful whining, nasal voice mispronouncing the simplest words. Why is Monday pronounced ‘Munday’? Too many women presenters have unlistenable voices. On TV, equally switch-offable is Fiona Bruce on Question Time. In comparison, the lovely, easy voice of David Dimbleby was a joy to listen to. Wake up, BBC, and employ presenters who understand the importance of good diction. HELEN PENNEY, Longborough, Glos.

I, TOO, miss Simon Mayo on Radio 2’s Drivetime show. However, the show was ruined when it was decided to pair him with Jo Whiley, another excellent broadcaster. This left Mayo with no option but to resign and start afresh. However, life goes on and I’m enjoying Sara Cox’s presenting. She is funny, down-to-earth and reaches out to listeners, regardless of age.

Drivetime is Sara’s show now and long may it continue. M. S. BRADSHAW, Billingham, Co. Durham.

HOW insensitive and discriminatory to expect Sarah Cox to moderate her regional accent and dialect. FRAN CAMBETTIE-DAVIES, Carshalton, Surrey.

IT MAY be Sara Cox who asks the repetitive question ‘How are you?’ on Drivetime. On every other phone-in, it’s listeners who pose this over-used question. Jeremy Vine, Ken Bruce and Nicky Campbell must be sick to death of it. TONY THOMPSON, Banbury, Oxon.