Listeners can expect surprises from an abrasive political interviewer, who also nurtures a warm relationship with her audience
For the past few days the airwaves and
Social Media sites, and probably the bus stops, have been lively with chat about two impressive and charismatic women, both famous for taking no prisoners. One was Dame Diana Rigg, after the sad news she had died at 82. The other was Emma Barnett, in reaction to the BBC’s proclamation that she will take over as the main presenter of Woman’s Hour on Radio 4.
Comparison of the two
Women might seem forced, but for one happy chance. Back in 1968, Rigg was a nicely spoken guest on Woman’s Hour and a clip was played in a broadcast tribute to her talent. With
missile precision, the star of The Avengers set the programme’s smarmy presenter right over what his phrase “pure femininity” might possibly mean, which is fun to hear. But the stand-out fact for most listeners will have been that this presenter was a man. Could that ever happen again? If not, is the fact it is now unthinkable a sign of just how far the representation of women’s lives has come? Or is it a symptom of outdated and restrictive views of what gender means? Rigg could probably have explained, but it is Barnett who now has the chance.