Strictly’s Angela Rippon, 79, claims former BBC boss tried to make her resign at 50 and told her she’d ‘had her day’ as she fires back ‘I ain’t finished yet!’

Angela Rippon has claimed the BBC tried to make her quit at the age of 50 after she was told she had 'had her day'.

The 79-year-old presenter, who last took part in this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing, branded former BBC director general John Birt as 'ageist and sexist' in a blistering attack.

Angela recalled how the BBC boss urged her to resign as she appeared on stage to accept TRIC's Outstanding Achievement Award at the Londoner Hotel on Tuesday.

During her acceptance speech, she told the audience: “It has now been 57 years since I started broadcasting.

'When I was fifty I had a conversation with the then Director General of the BBC, whose name was John Birt, and he said I had a problem with something at the BBC.

Angela Rippon has claimed the BBC tried to make her quit at the age of 50 after she was told she had 'had her day'

The presenter, 79, who last took part in this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing, branded former BBC director general John Birt as 'ageist and sexist'

'He said to me, 'Angela, you have to realize now that you are fifty, you have had your day and it is time to make way for the younger women who are coming behind you.'

“So he managed to be a misogynist and an ageist in one statement, which I thought was quite a trick, and the thing is, John Birt, you said I'd had my day, (but) what I actually good so far it's been the time of my life.'

Angela started Rippon began her television career at BBC South West in Plymouth in 1966, aged 21, before becoming a reporter for BBC TV news.

She first presented a national news program on BBC2 in 1974.

Angela went on to tell the audience that she has a job that she “absolutely loves” and that she is “extremely proud” of the women who now read the national news, as she felt “like a novelty” when she first started.

“When he said I should pave my way for younger women coming behind me, I have to say one of the great joys of my half-century in broadcasting is that I'm a little older than commercial radio,” she said.

“In that half-century, it was great for me because it was something new when I first started reading the news on national television, as the only woman reading it nationally.

“To find so many beautiful young women, they climbed through that hole in the glass ceiling behind me. I am so proud of each and every one of them, all those women of all ages who have now shown through their skills and talent that they do not fill an HR box.

Angela recalled how BBC boss urged her to resign when she was 50 (pictured in 1996)

In an exclusive chat with MailOnline, Angela spoke about her time on Strictly after leaving the show in a 'full circle' moment at Blackpool Tower

'They sit there based on what they do and stand shoulder to shoulder with their male colleagues. And there is respect on both sides, and that's what I like about the industry I work in.'

Angela concluded her speech by saying: 'And one last message to John Birt when I was 50: you said I had had my day. I'm 79 now, and I'm not done yet!'

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.

In an exclusive chat with MailOnline, Angela spoke about her time on Strictly after leaving the show in a 'full circle' moment at Blackpool Tower.

She said: 'There's no end to it, strictly speaking, because I'm going to do the tour, so it's going to continue. I'm really looking forward to it and of course we all have to dance in the final, so it's not over yet.

'I dance when I can because I'm an ambassador for the Royal Academy (of Dance) Silver Swans program, and I probably go to ballet class once every six weeks, which I manage with work, so I have to keep fit. '

Angela has also ruled out appearing in any other reality TV shows in the future as she had an 'amazing' time with professional dancer Kai Widdrington, 28.

She said, 'No, I'm done, but I had a great time with a great partner, and I loved every minute of it. It was amazing.'

Speaking about the celebration of her milestone 80th birthday next year, Angela said: 'I'm still thinking about what I'm going to do for that, that's still in the pipeline.

'I had a big party for my 60th and I went to Amman alone for my 70th, so I don't know yet what I'm going to do for my 80th – there are a few ideas in the pipeline, but au haven't got there yet got around to deciding.'