Sandi Toksvig claims BBC snubbed her as Have I Got News For You host because she's a woman

TV host says that the broadcaster picked Angus Deayton over her

Sandi Toksvig has claimed that she was turned down by the BBC because of her gender.

Speaking to Radio Times, Toksvig explained that she was up against Angus Deayton for the hosting job in 1990.

Toksvig says that bosses picked Deayton over her because she's a woman - even though they preferred her tape.

"They made two pilots - one with me and one with Angus Deayton," she said.

"I was told by the producers that they preferred my version, but the channel decided they couldn't have a woman in charge."

Toksvig, who is leaving her job as Radio 4's News Quiz host to go into politics, says that the rejection seriously dented her confidence.

She said: "It also made me feel inadequate and question whether I was really up to it.

"I thought Angus was very good and he's an extremely nice chap. But I would not have been caught with either prostitutes or cocaine, so... possibly I would have been a better bet in the long run."

Toksvig recently announced her departure from broadcasting. She has become a prominent member of the Women's Equality Party.

"I have made jokes over and over again about politics," she said in April. "Do you know, this election I've had enough.

"And I have decided that instead of making jokes about it, I need to participate, so I am involved in the founding of a new political party.

"It's called the Women's Equality Party. It is a fantastic group of women - and indeed men - who have decided that enough is enough and we need to make some changes."

The BBC did not immediately respond when contacted for comment.