Although I respect Jeremy Paxman as a broadcaster I feel his statement on The BBC's Steve Wright show today that 'Newsreaders who appear on Strictly Come Dancing and perform whacky antics for Children in Need make t**** of themselves' is something that I just can not agree with

Paxman He revealed he had twice been approached by producers of Strictly Come Dancing to appear on the show, but said: 'You want your head examined to do that.' In an interview with BBC Radio 2's Steve Wright he said: 'I don’t understand why they want to do it', although he did admit that it helped to raise money for the children's charity. Mr Paxman's BBC News colleague, Susanna Reid, is currently appearing on the latest series of Strictly. And it comes just days after fellow Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark ended last Halloween’s edition of Newsnight with a dance.

Other journalists to take part Children in Need performances, include Emily Maitlis, another of Paxman’s fellow Newsnight presenters, Sophie Raworth, Fiona Bruce and Kate Silverton. Others newsreaders and journalists to appear on Strictly show include Bill Turnbull, John Sergeant and Chris Hollins. Mr Paxman made the comments in an interview with the Radio 2 disc jockey, one of a series available to download to raise money for Children in Need night, which will be held on November 15.

in fact Jeremy I think if anyone can be accused of being a t**** is got to be YOU. Surely you realise that the reason behind these 'whacky appearances as you call them, is to raise much needed money for various charities. Something we never see you participate in...