Celebrity Big Politics Mouth

I read in the Guardian about Dermot O’Leary being in talks to present a political show on the BBC for the general election.

I’m not a fan of Big Brother or its (far too) many spin-offs, but whenever I’ve seen anything Dermot O’Leary has done, I’ve been pretty impressed. My initial thought was, brilliant, someone who might make a difference and get more young people involved.

But the more I thought about it, the more I think not, actually. Politics IS a serious business – jokes about red faces and airbrushing notwithstanding – and I think that just putting a more youth-oriented presenter in front of the same old same old is not really going to make much difference.

The BBC, rightly, is trying to take its public service requirements seriously. And I think it would do all of us a favour if it took its subject matter seriously as well.

I’m not totally against him presenting anything (it’s got to be better than Jeremy Vine in that rubbish cowboy suit) but there does need to be a bit of thought about it. This election is going to be one full of nasty campaigning; but it’s also the first one in a long time with a real chance of making a difference. The BBC – and all of us – need to remember that.

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