Miriam O'Reilly discusses BBC axe hurt

Miriam O'Reilly has said that her "confidence took a kicking" after the BBC dropped her from Countryfile, as she prepares to make a dramatic return to the corporation.

Tonight at 9.15pm, the 54-year-old will take up her new role as a presenter on BBC One's Crimewatch Roadshow alongside Rav Wilding.

The show marks O'Reilly's first appearance on the BBC since she won a landmark age discrimination case against the corporation over the decision to drop her from rural affairs programme Countryfile.

O'Reilly told the Daily Telegraph that her 2008 sacking from Countryfile was "devastating", while the ensuing industrial tribunal case was "hellish".

In January, the presenter won a six-figure compensation pay out and was also offered the chance to return to the BBC. She said that BBC director general Mark Thompson has "apologised profusely" for the situation, and given his "personal assurances" that ageism was being tackled at the BBC.

On Crimewatch Roadshow, O'Reilly will give roving reports from around the UK on how victims of crime can fight back. Wilding - 20 years her junior - will present reconstructions from the studio.

Speaking last night about her debut on the show, O'Reilly said: "I'm so excited about starting. My confidence took a kicking during the tribunal because so many hurtful things were said about the reasons why I was dropped from Countryfile.

"I really just have to build it back up again now, and live television will be an interesting way of doing that."

O'Reilly revealed that other female television presenters had contacted her to express their gratitude for exposing the ageist attitudes at work in the industry.

"I was nervous about going back because the tribunal was a very difficult fight, but the moment I walked through the doors of BBC Television Centre two women ran up to me and gave me a big hug," she said.

"As I walked through the corridors people were shaking my hand and saying 'well done'. They were all women who felt strongly about what I had achieved and felt I had done them a service too.

"Lots of other women presenters at the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have thanked me for helping them hold on to their jobs for a little bit longer."