We need all sorts of accents on the BBC – I say that as a proud Brummie

Lord Digby Jones was totally wrong to criticise Alex Scott’s accent. We should welcome the broadest possible range of BBC presenters, writes Chris Stevenson

BBC presenter and former football player Alex Scott (Getty)

Alex Scott’s defence of her accent following criticism from crossbench peer Lord Digby Jones – who complained on Twitter about poor elocution from the BBC presenter, as well as Sky News’s Beth Rigby – was heartening.

One of the small joys of this Olympic Games has been hearing a range of accents across the coverage of the different sports, from commentators, presenters and athletes alike.

There have been plenty of complaints over the years about the need for the BBC to move away from the “M25 bubble”. People across the country need to have themselves reflected in what we watch, and I say that as a proud Brummie (a place with not exactly the most beloved of accents).

“I’m from a working class family in East London, Poplar, Tower Hamlets and I am PROUD,” Scott tweeted in response to Lord Jones, adding that she was “proud of the young girl who overcame obstacles, and proud of my accent! It’s me, it’s my journey, my grit.”

If that is not the kind of message we should be sending out, then I don’t know what is. Lord Jones seemingly did not know when to quit, later adding that Scott should not “let elocution spoil your otherwise excellent performance” and that she was “worthy of much better” than playing “the working-class card”.

I know which side of that argument I am on. If a few dropped “G’s” is the consequence of having better representation of the regional accents on our screens, then so be it. There are worse things.

I know some won’t agree – and readers are more than welcome to tell me so. It is topics like this that often spark a rush of correspondence. I just believe that small things can make a difference to people, particularly when it comes to something personal like your accent. So good on Alex Scott for standing up for that.

Yours,

Chris Stevenson

Voices editor