Anne Robinson tells women to lose weight to keep their TV jobs – Daily TV round-up

Anne Robinson has said that if women want to keep their jobs on television, they need to lose weight.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the TV host and journalist added she 'can't stand whingeing' and that 'life isn't fair' when it comes to maintaining a career in the media.

“Television is about pretty pictures, if you want to keep your job on telly, lose a stone and get a makeover, it’s as simple as that,” she said.

[Older women 'disappear from TV - report]

“There are a great many issues more pressing in this world than whether Selina Scott has a job.

“Haven’t you noticed how much better Miriam O’Reilly and Arlene Phillips are looking since they were bumped?

“If they’d taken that much care of their appearance in the first place they would probably still be in a job. As for Anna Ford, she’s far too beautiful to get my sympathy.”

Robinson, who has made no secret of having various cosmetic procedures over the years, added that certain women can get away with less focus on appearance if they have particular skills.

“You need to specialise and women who are professional and are characters and have something unique to offer – Mary Berry, Mary Beard, Clarissa Dixon Wright – are still on. They’re just not presenting Strictly with Brucie,” she continued.

“If it became law that a certain proportion of women aged 50 and 60 had to appear on screen, producers would still be 'lookist' about it. Nobody wants to watch Ugly.” [Daily Telegraph]

Also in today's press

The plot thickens around the US version of the 'Great British Bake-Off'. Co-presenter Marcela Valladolid is said to have left her Mexican politician husband, following the news that fellow judge Paul Hollywood broke it off with his wife last week. [The Sun]

Tulisa has confirmed that she's leaving 'The X Factor', with former judge Sharon Osbourne likely to fill her spot on the panel. “Just wanted to let you all know that I won't be part of the 'X Factor' panel this year,” she tweeted. “I've had a great time on the show, but this year it's time to do something different. I'd like to thank everyone on 'The X Factor' for two amazing years. Stay tuned as I have a very exciting announcement soon!” [Twitter]

Meanwhile, 'Strictly' star Ola Jordan has said she'd be welcome on their show instead. “Tulisa, she'd be lovely in Strictly,” she said. “I think she'd be quite good.” [Digital Spy]