Countryfile presenter Charlotte Smith to return to show five years after 2009 ageism row
FORMER Countryfile presenter Charlotte Smith is in line for a return to the the prime time show, five years after she claimed they told her she wasn't "young or pretty enough."
The TV presenter was one of four women on the programme aged in their 40s and 50s who was axed in 2009, leading to claims of ageism in the television industry.
However, the 49-year-old is apparently set for a return to the show next month after a five year hiatus.
Michaela Strachan, Juliet Morris and Miriam O'Reilly were all dropped at the same time before the show was launched with new presenters.
O'Reilly went on to wind an employment tribunal ruling against the BBC which decided she had been sacked because of her age.
Smith said in evidence during O'Reilly's tribunal: "I was told by a member of the team that I would not be able to pass the primetime test because I was not young or pretty."
However, she is set to be the first of four women to return to the rural affairs series next month, standing in for the programme's investigative reporter Tom Heap during his holiday.
It is believed that there will then be an option for her to make further appearances on the show.
I've been presenting for #countryfile today... TV just as glamorous as I remember pic.twitter.com/zthAW2PNRn
— charlotte smith (@charlottebsmith) August 11, 2014
Charlotte confirmed her comeback on Twitter when she uploaded a snap of herself filming for the show.
She wrote: "I've been presenting for Countryfile today. TV just as glamorous as I remember", alongside a picture of herself in wellies, a lab coat and blue hair net.
A BBC spokesperson confirmed that Smith is covering for Tom Heap while he is away.