BBC presenter Stephanie McGovern told she was 'too common for telly’

A BBC news presenter has accused the corporation of prejudice — claiming she used to be considered “too common for telly” and is judged by viewers for her accent.

BBC breakfast business reporter Stephanie McGovern, from Middlesbrough, said she was once told by a manager: “I didn’t realise people like you were clever.”

She claimed she got a job on screen only after one editor “took a gamble” but other managers thought he was “mad”.

She said some viewers still comment on her voice and one told her to “get back to my council estate”.