Kirsty Young unmoved by ageism complaints

The Desert Island Discs host, 43, told the Radio Times she did not get her big break - at the age of 27, presenting Channel 5 news - for being attractive.

She said she could continue to present the Radio 4 castaway show well into her 80s.

She said: "Here's the thing: I know I didn't get the job (at Channel 5) because of my looks, which are average, but because they thought I could do the job."

Young added: "The idea that you have to be young and beautiful to be on TV is boring, although when you see (former Strictly Come Dancing judge) Arlene Phillips being hoicked off, there's probably still an argument.

"It's not a drum I want to beat. I don't wake up and think I must storm the barricades, although I don't want to be told in 10 years that I'm not allowed on television.

"I'll always be allowed on radio - I don't see why I shouldn't be doing Desert Island Discs until I'm 85."

The BBC was accused of ageism following a series of high-profile departures, including Moira Stuart being dropped from TV in 2007.

Countryfile presenter Miriam O'Reilly won an age discrimination case against the corporation last year.

Ex-newsreader Selina Scott accused the corporation of ageism and sexism for employing too few older female newsreaders.

Young became the fourth presenter of Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, following the show's originator Roy Plomley, Michael Parkinson and Sue Lawley.

The mother of two daughters, Freya, 10, and Iona, four, Young - who also has two teenage stepchildren - said that becoming a parent "honed" her ambition.

"I thought if I was going to leave them every day I'd better do something honest and stimulating," she said.

"I changed my working life when my husband, who is unbelievably good at what he does, decided to expand his business. You can't have two parents away all the time, so I do my research at home."

The Government has been criticised for launching a happiness index to measure the wellbeing of UK citizens.

Young, who is married to Soho House founder Nick Jones, said: "There's a lot of talk about happiness at the moment. I don't want my children to be 'happy'.

"They'll be bloody lucky if they glimpse it now and again. I want them to be content and have self-worth."