Humphrys’s co-host condemns ‘ageist’ criticism of BBC veteran
JUSTIN WEBB, the presenter of Today on BBC Radio 4, has singled out the “ageist” criticism of John Humphrys, as he says those who would not dream of being sexist or racist consider it an “affront” to hear a man in his seventies broadcasting.
Webb, who paid tribute to his 76-year-old colleague ahead of his retirement, said ageism was “deeply acceptable in the anti-john movement”, after the veteran broadcaster faced daily criticism on social media.
Saying Humphrys was “bemused” at the idea of journalists having Twitter followers, he joked: “John wants respect, when it is paid, to be paid only grudgingly.”
Writing in Radio Times, Webb urged the BBC to pay attention to “mouthy, white working-class kids with attitude” like Humphrys, as part of its diversity drive.
“There are plenty who don’t like him, who think he’s gone on too long, who want him ‘pensioned off’ or ‘put out of his misery’ or whatever the phrase is they use to suggest that being a man in his seventies on air is somehow an affront,” Webb said.
“Most of these folks would see themselves as impeccable anti-sexists and anti-racists, but ageism is alive and well and apparently deeply acceptable in the anti-john movement.” He added: “John doesn’t give a stuff what you think of him. He is bemused when Jon Snow of Channel 4 News talks of his ‘followers’ online.”
Webb said broadcasters, concerned with diversity, often neglected to bring working-class talent like Humphrys, who left school at 15, into studios.
“In an age of prissy concern about ‘identity’ – with broadcasting bosses frantically ticking boxes to make sure ‘diversity’ is achieved – there is a risk that this aspect of diversity, which really makes a difference, is completely ignored. It’s the mouthy, white working-class kids with attitude who don’t get attracted to our trade, because too often we don’t see it as a trade,” he said.
The BBC said it could not confirm the date Humphrys will present Today for the final time, but it is widely reported to be Thursday Sept 19 when he will interview David Cameron, the former prime minister.