Radio 1 axes Jo Whiley, 44, for Fearne Cotton, 27

Losing slots: Radio 1’s Jo Whiley and Fearne Cotton, who will take over the morning show
12 April 2012

The BBC faced fresh accusations of ageism today as two of Radio 1's long-standing women presenters lost their high-profile daily shows to younger rivals.

Jo Whiley, 44, and Edith Bowman, 35, were both moved to weekend slots in a schedule shake-up aimed at drawing younger listeners to the station. Fearne Cotton, 27, and Greg James, 23, will be given their daily shows.

As little as a week ago the corporation was accused of being biased against older women, after judge Arlene Phillips, 66, was axed from Strictly Come Dancing with 30-year-old Alesha Dixon replacing her. Equality minister Harriet Harman told the Commons today that she believed Phillips was a victim of "age discrimination".

Cotton, who co-hosts weekend shows at the station, will take over the 10am to 12.45pm slot and Live Lounge shows presented by mother-of-four Whiley. Cotton said: "I love being at Radio 1 and taking on a weekday show is a dream come true. Jo is leaving very big shoes for me to fill." Whiley said: "After eight wonderful years the time has come to move on and give someone else the privilege of entertaining the nation on a daily basis. I've had the most amazing time ever. The prospect of lie-ins, taking my kids to school and doing something new is, I confess, rather exciting."

Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt said: "BBC Radio 1 must continue to change to connect with a new generation of audiences and this is a significant move, promoting three of our up-and-coming broadcasters into the heart of the schedule." The move comes after commercial radio executives called for an overhaul of the station, arguing that it had breached its remit by having an average listener age of 33.

In a report made to the BBC Trust, the commercial radio sector's trade body, the RadioCentre, said the station was eating into their audience instead of targeting the 15- to 29-year-old target age range.

The shake-up, which comes into effect on 21 September, will also see weekend breakfast host Dev moving to the early breakfast show vacated by James. Nihal Arthanayake, 38, loses his weekend afternoon show to Bowman. The station said Arthanayake would still present his weekly Asian music show.

The decision to replace Whiley and Bowman was met with disappointment by fans today. A listener on Digital Spy, ElecrobixGreen, posted: "I'm gutted about Jo Whiley being marginalised. I'm going to miss her show. She may be older, but I don't see why that means she can't be relevant to a younger audience. Are they going to stop playing Madonna because she's too old?" Another, Craig McLellan, said: "I would have preferred to see Edith in the 10-12.45 slot rather than Fearne."

Ms Harman today publicly called on the BBC to bring choreographer Phillips back to the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel. During Commons questions on forthcoming business, she told MPs: "I think it's absolutely shocking. As equality minister, I am suspicious there is age discrimination there. So I'd like to take the opportunity of asking the BBC — it is not too late — we want Arlene Phillips in the next edition."

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