The BBC wants a new weather presenter - who must be disabled

The BBC currently have no weather presenters with disabilities and are recruiting to improve on screen diversity

Sadiq Iqbal - the weather presenter in the spoof comedy show W1A, who is hired because he has a beard (BBC)

The BBC is seeking applications for a new weather presenter – the successful candidate must be disabled, and doesn't have to have any qualifications.

An advert posted on the careers website says: “Do you want to share your passion for the weather by presenting weather bulletins? Do you have a disability? The BBC does not currently have any weather presenters who are disabled and we are actively seeking to improve on screen diversity.”

It continues: “The BBC Academy is running a free training opportunity to provide an introduction to the world of weather presenting to help men and women with a disability feel comfortable appearing on television, radio and online presenting weather bulletins.”

The advert has drawn criticism on Twitter with some declaring it is ‘political correctness gone mad’ and others suggesting that it is discrimination against people without disabilities.

Others have compared it to the hiring of a Muslim weather presenter in the spoof show W1A, Sadi Iqbal, who is given the job because he has a beard.

A spokesperson for the BBC has defended the scheme, saying: “We are not advertising for a disabled weather presenter. This three day training opportunity is open to men and women with disabilities who have a passion for weather and the environment and who have the potential to become weather presenters in the future. There are no jobs guaranteed at the end of the training. There is nothing ‘PC’ about offering training to people with disabilities.”