BBC bosses told me I was too old at 43 to host a major flagship job reveals top star as she leaves the broadcaster

A BBC STAR was told she was ‘too old’ to host a major flagship show at just 43, as she prepares to leave the broadcaster.

Crimewatch was a stable of the broadcaster’s schedule for decades with the late Jill Dando one of its presenters.

BBC

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Sally Magnusson by Beeb execs they wanted a younger person to replace the late Jill Dando[/caption]

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Jill was gunned down outside her house in 1999[/caption]

However, after she was brutally shot and killed on her own doorstep in 1999, BBC bosses sought to find her replacement.

Experienced broadcaster Sally Magnusson put herself forward for the role, aged 43.

But, she was told she was ‘too old’ for the role – something which Sally only experienced once in her entire career.

Recalling the time, the 69-year-old said: “I got an embarrassed call from an executive saying they wanted somebody younger.

“It was a bit of a blow as it had never been stated to me so explicitly before.”

Sally was speaking as her time with the BBC is set to come to an end, as she steps down from Reporting Scotland after 27 years.

At the start of this year the veteran news presenter announced she was quitting the show.

In a statement, she said: “Leaving Reporting Scotland will be a real wrench after 27 years. 

“I’ll miss the buzz and challenges of live news presentation, which I’ve always adored. 

“But although my focus now turns to a growing writing career, an expanding family, and my work around dementia, I’m also looking forward to maintaining links with the BBC as a freelance broadcaster.”