Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

BBC Radio 2 accused of 'clear cut ageism' by Liz Kershaw as Ken Bruce is forced out early

BBC Radio 2 have been caught up in a row over allegations of ageism as Liz Kershaw said there is a "clear cut case" of ageism at the station.

Liz, 64, worked with BBC on a number of its radio stations before she was sacked from her show on BBC Radio 6 after working for the BBC for 35 years.

She has previously accused the BBC of ageism when it was revealed she was sacked from her radio show. Speaking in June last year, Liz tweeted: "I got sacked from @BBC6Music because they don’t want women over 60".

And now, after it was revealed Ken Bruce, 72, was forced out of his radio show early after sharing his decision to leave the station and r eplaced by Vernon Kay, 48, Liz has shared her beliefs once again over the BBC being ageist.

A number of broadcasters who have dedicated decades to the broadcaster have faced the exodus in recent months including Vanessa Feltz, Paul O'Grady and Steve Wright.

Liz Kershaw has accused BBC Radio 2 of ageism (Rex)

As she appeared on GB News, Liz was asked by Dawn Neesom if the broadcaster is ageist as Dawn said: "Is the BBC ageist? Does it need to be investigated for the way it's treating people?"

Liz said: "Well, I've been waiting for the evidence to pile up because we all thought that but I think there's a really clear cut case now.

"We've had Steve Wright, Ken Bruce and Paul O'Grady, Vanessa Feltz, all replaced by people, one is in his 30s, Owain Wyn Jones who's replacing Vanessa who was 60 when they sacked her.

"The others are all in their 40s. Younger white men in their 40s. So it's in plain sight now."

Ken Bruce has revealed his final show on the BBC was brought forward (Mike Lawn/REX/Shutterstock)

Liz added she thinks it could be time to "organise a class action".

She said: "It happened to me as well, a year ago and I couldn't prove it but I think it's just a case of numbers now."

A BBC Radio 2 spokesperson told the Mirror: "We respect Ken’s decision and wish him the very best of luck in the future as he’s been a much loved part of the Radio 2 family.

"Radio 2 is hugely proud of having a range of presenters from their 30s to 80 years old on the station, an age range which hasn’t changed in decades, in fact Ken Bruce started presenting on Radio 2 at the age of 33.

Liz wants to organise a 'class action' (BBC)
Ken was on BBC Radio 2 for 31 years (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

"Radio 2 will continue to be a multi-generational radio station that serves a 35+ audience (a target audience which also hasn't changed in decades)."

Meanwhile, when asked what affect her own sacking had on her, Liz explained she wasn't surprised by it.

Liz told viewers: "It didn't because two reasons really, I saw it coming, you can feel it in the air as Vanessa said, she could sense the ageism/sexism, I could feel it coming.

"And, I'd slogged my way to the BBC all through Covid, driving down because you couldn't go on the train, temperature checks, tests up your nose before you go into the studio, and I did that week in, week out."

Vernon Kay is replacing Ken on his iconic weekday slot (BBC)
Vernon's dad warned him he has 'big shoes to fill' (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

She added: "It's just such a changed place. It was a sort of relief and my producer once said, 'Oh you'll retire Kershaw, you'll die with your headphones on.'

"So, in a way it did me a favour because it forced it but I've always had this in the back of my head, 'Always remember Liz, it's not who you are, it's just what you do'."

It comes after BBC Radio 2 announced Vernon Kay would be replacing Ken on his coveted weekday slot on the airwaves.

Vernon, who's dad told him he has 'big shoes to fill, released a statement about his new gig as he said: "I’m absolutely over the moon to be handed the microphone to present the mid-morning show on Radio 2, and what an honour to follow in the footsteps of the mighty Ken Bruce.

"I look forward to playing some of the best music in the world whilst in the company of the Radio 2 listeners who I feel I’ve got to know over the last 18 months.

"It’s a dream come true to join the Radio 2 family and I can’t wait to start."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.