Former Countryfile host Miriam O'Reilly says BBC Breakfast seating 'bias' is the result of 'deep-rooted misogyny'

'Sadly women on breakfast news programmes particularly have the role of the bit of fluff by his side. They are there to smile laugh giggle or tease,' says Miriam O'Reilly

O’Reilly who won an age discrimination case against the BBC after the BBC axed her from from Countryfile told the Guardian female presenters were routinely forced into inferior positions in the world of television (PA)

Miriam O’Reilly has argued that “deep-rooted misogyny in newsrooms” is the reason why male presenters tend to be seated on the left-hand side – the prized position reserved for the senior news presenter.

O’Reilly’s remarks follow the dispute over the BBC’s apparent decision to place the younger and less experienced male presenter, Dan Walker, 38, on the left-hand side of the long-time journalist Louise Minchin.

This is the same spot on BBC Breakfast’s immediately recognisable red sofas, which was formerly filled by veteran journalist Bill Turnbull who left after a 15-year long stint at the BBC last month.

Highly experienced newsreader, Minchin, 47, has been sitting on the BBC Breakfast sofa for more than a decade and has also presented on the BBC News Channel and The One Show.

Dan Walker with his more experienced co-presenter Louise Minchin on the ‘Breakfast’ sofa (BBC)

O’Reilly, who won an age discrimination case against the BBC after being axed from Countryfile, told The Guardian female presenters were routinely forced into inferior positions in the world of news journalism.

“It’s just deep-rooted misogyny in newsrooms where editors think a man somehow has more authority ... And of course, the people who make these decisions tend to be men themselves,” O'Reilly said.

“I’ve worked on enough news and current affairs programmes to know that men are seen by editors as having the ‘gravitas’ to lead a show. Sadly women on breakfast news programmes, particularly, have the role of the bit of fluff by his side. They are there to smile, laugh, giggle or tease – and to show legs and cleavage.

“These women are accomplished journalists who could lead the shows on their own with credibility,” she added.

Minchin is understood to have asked for the left-hand slot and raised concerns with producers over the decision. Despite this, after running a series of test recordings producers are said to have come to the decision that it would not work visually, partially because of Walker’s 6.6 height.

It has been noted and pointed out that BBC Breakfast's main presenters include three women and one man.

A spokesperson from the BBC told The Independent: “There is no seniority in terms of who sits where on the BBC Breakfast sofa. It’s all about judging which is the best camera angle for the presenters.”