New Statesman Scotland
A message for the sports presenter Dougie Donnelly. You should have kept your big mouth shut because you are now likely to suffer for it. Dougie's crime was to suggest in an interview that some of his female fellow sports presenters lack the talent he displays so enduringly, and have been recruited for their physical attributes rather than their professional abilities.
"These girls very often need 14 takes to read an autocue that was written by somebody else," he told an extremely low-circulation newspaper, perhaps in the hope that it would pass unnoticed. "We're both classed as television presenters, but I like to think that what I do is different."
This outburst was noticed, however. To give him the benefit of the doubt, Dougie may have had in mind the current crop of bimbos in the nether regions of satellite television, rather than his well-regarded terrestrial colleagues.
It could be pointed out that Dougie, who has presented BBC Scotland's Saturday Sportscene for 18 years in a row, relies on his own physical attributes of permanently curly hair, out-of-fashion Pringle jumpers and a mildly amusing alliterative name.
But is the real story that he is reacting to the fact that while he handles mainstream big-time football, rugby, golf and snooker with admirable aplomb, more and more he is becoming indelibly identified in the public mind with a sport so far eschewed by sensible females everywhere. Yes, we mean the boiling cauldron of indoor bowls. (Scotland on Sunday)
Post this article to
We want to encourage people to comment on our content and to exchange views with other readers and hope this will be done on a courteous basis. However, if you encounter posts which are offensive please let us know by emailing comments@newstatesman.co.uk and we will take swift action where necessary.
