BBC needs more women on TV, says Lord Chris Patten

The BBC's chairman Lord Chris Patten has revealed that he thinks England needs more women on television.

The former Conservative politician, who was named as the head of the trust earlier this year, said that there are plenty of "good" presenters such as Sarah Montague and Martha Kearney on air at the moment.

Patten told The Observer: "We should have more mature women on radio and television. I'm 67, for heaven's sake, and I'm married to a charming and beautiful 66-year-old, and I would be delighted if she was the face of anything on television."

He described Antiques Roadshow host Fiona Bruce as a prime example of the kind of women he wants to see at the BBC, saying: "I saw her programme on royal palaces, which she wrote as well as presented. I thought she was terrific. But there should be more."

Two years ago, the TV station promised to find more women to front its shows, with stars such as Julia Somerville and Carole Walker being appointed to front its news bulletins, but Walker recently slammed the move as "nothing more than a PR stunt".

Female former Treasury adviser Diane Coyle was named as the vice chairperson of the BBC shortly after Patten's appointment.

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