Janet Street-Porter, the fiery Loose Women star, has launched a scathing attack on ageism in television, exposing the harsh realities faced by older women in the industry.
The veteran broadcaster, 77, didn't hold back as she revealed shocking attitudes towards mature female presenters, sharing her own experiences of being sidelined.
'TV bosses think women expire at 50'
Street-Porter claimed television executives behave as though "women have a sell-by date", saying: "They think we expire at 50 while men go on forever."
The journalist turned reality TV star highlighted the stark contrast between opportunities for older men and women in broadcasting, pointing to veteran male presenters who continue to land prime roles.
Double standards in broadcasting
"Look at the male presenters still working in their 70s," she said. "Meanwhile talented women are quietly dropped without explanation when they reach a certain age."
Street-Porter, who joined Loose Women in 2011, admitted she's had to "reinvent" herself multiple times throughout her five-decade career to stay relevant in an industry obsessed with youth.
Survival tactics in a youth-obsessed industry
The outspoken personality shared her strategies for longevity:
- Embracing new formats like reality TV
- Developing a thick skin against criticism
- Refusing to be pigeonholed
- Constantly adapting to industry changes
Despite her success, Street-Porter confessed she still faces patronising attitudes, recalling being told she was "amazing for her age" after completing physical challenges on I'm A Celebrity...
A call for change
The media personality ended with a rallying cry for the industry to value experience over appearance, urging producers to recognise the wealth of knowledge older broadcasters bring to the table.
"We've lived through decades of social change," she said. "That perspective is priceless - if only TV bosses would open their eyes."
