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Joan Bakewell, 91, reveals she regrets being known as ‘the thinking man’s crumpet’ after creating a ‘frivolous’ stereotype as a 60s sex symbol

BBG News

As a lifestyle expert reflecting on the life experiences of a trailblazing figure like Joan Bakewell, I find her journey both inspiring and thought-provoking. At 91 years old, Dame Joan has not only broken barriers for women in broadcasting but also navigated the complexities of gender stereotypes with grace and resilience.

As a devoted admirer and follower, I can relate to the sentiments expressed by the esteemed broadcaster Joan Bakewell. In reflecting upon her career journey, she has shared her disappointment over being labeled as ‘the thinking man’s crumpet‘, a tag that unintentionally perpetuated an outdated stereotype, portraying her as a lightweight, frivolous young woman adorned in miniskirts.

In the 1960s, she earned a nickname that lasted for quite some time following her appearance on the pioneering BBC2 talk show, Late Night Line-Up, where she served as a presenter.

In the 1960s, she was one of the fewer well-known female television hosts. She often graced the screen wearing stylish attire such as elegant dresses and mini skirts, earning her the title of a sex symbol for that particular decade.

In a discourse about her broadcasting journey, Dame Joan, aged 91, expressed unease about being evaluated based on her physical appearance. She felt this scrutiny implied that the aspects she valued were unimportant to others.

In her lecture for the Royal Television Society/The Media Society, she mentioned: ‘I was among the earliest women to appear on television… This brought me the unwanted gaze of Fleet Street, not exactly charming, and I was tagged with a label that persisted for many years until I became too old for it.’

‘But there were lots of articles about my short skirts and my hair and things like that.’

She mentioned: ‘I received attention in places I didn’t prefer, and I had to endure it. Frankly, it was inappropriate to voice my dissatisfaction about it.’

‘Now, young women would go to law and say, that’s damaging my career.’

In recent times, Joan, well-known for hosting art programs on Sky, was informed by the media that the exposure she received was beneficial to her career at the time.

The Labour peer added: ‘I sort of put up with it, and years later, I rather regretted that it created this kind of whimsy about a frivolous girl with short skirts.

To put it simply, that style was trendy, and while it didn’t cause me any harm, it didn’t resonate with what truly mattered to me – ideas, connections with people, meaningful dialogue, the potential of television for positive change, and our ability to make a difference in the world.

Despite feeling uncomfortable, she pushed forward and discussed the topic of short skirts enthusiastically to ensure her point was heard.

Bakewell stated, “Indeed, I have much to be thankful for during that time. It was an exceptional period filled with both liberty and limitations.

In the 1960s, comedy writer and television personality Frank Muir playfully nicknamed her “the thinking man’s honey cake,” but the nickname persisted.

Previously, she mentioned that she wasn’t offended by the term, yet she acknowledged that some feminists perceived her as having “betrayed” their cause because she didn’t express anger or indignation.

In 2016, she shared with The Guardian that there were demands for her to criticize Muir over his remark, yet she described him as a “kind-hearted” individual who would have been filled with regret and embarrassment if she had spoken against him.

In another interview she had described it as a ‘silly remark’ by someone who was her friend.

In the 60s, there was a well-known romantic involvement between Bakewell and playwright Harold Pinter. This relationship was kept hidden, and it served as inspiration for Pinter’s 1978 play, “Betrayal,” which explores their clandestine affair.

Last year Bakewell revealed she had been diagnosed with colon cancer.

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2024-10-07 02:18

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