text: Paul Gambaccini blamed the presenters' obsession with discussing the sex appeal of pop stars for a slump in ratings . It has been a staple of Sunday night listening for almost 50 years – but now Radio 1's Chart Show has been branded a 'banal failure' by one of the most respected voices in broadcasting. Veteran presenter Paul Gambaccini has blasted the BBC for destroying the Top 40 show by employing 'ignorant' DJs who are more interested in giving vacuous opinions than playing the records. Gambaccini, a respected rock historian, blamed the presenters' obsession with discussing the sex appeal of pop stars for a slump in ratings. The 66-year-old said: 'It is no wonder the Chart Show is a complete failure because it has not accomplished what it was set out to be. It is the news of popular music and, if it is to have any integrity, it should be an objective show. You wouldn't expect Huw Edwards to give his opinion on the news he is reading or to suddenly say 'Isn't Hillary Clinton fit?' The Chart Show has become an extension of its presenter's personality rather than an objective programme.' Gambaccini, a former Radio 1 DJ himself, said he was particularly annoyed about last week's show when host Clara Amfo appeared to dismiss superstar Paul Simon, who had just topped the album charts at the age of 73. The 29-year-old made a passing reference to the star's No 1 album, The Ultimate Collection, before telling listeners to 'ask your dad'. Gambaccini said: 'To me that is an ignorant attitude. You don't disrespect the No 1 album, regardless of who it's by. 'What is the point of saying this is the Top 5 and not playing any of them? That is really stupid. No 1 is No 1. If you don't wish to be authoritative any more you might as well stop. Don't pretend you are important when you are not.' 'Paul Simon has just sold out the O2 with Sting. We are talking about a current major figure in popular music. These are people who will be enjoyed long after our lifetimes as we know and enjoy Beethoven.' The Chart Show has had a presence on Sunday nights in one form or another since the days of Alan 'Fluff' Freeman when Radio 1 launched in 1967. The current version has seen its audience dwindle from a peak of four million in the early 1980s to about 1.2 million. It will end in July, when the chart rundown will become part of Greg James's Friday drivetime show, to reflect changes in the music industry. Gambaccini, who recently returned to Radio 2 after being cleared over historic sex abuse claims, said: 'I wish Greg James well but it will never have the impact being a feature of his programme that it had on a Sunday.' The BBC said: 'The Chart Show is an entertainment programme and as such our DJs present the countdown in a way that is engaging and relevant to our young audience.' In February, Radio 1 was at the centre of another ageism storm after The Mail on Sunday revealed Madonna had been dropped from the playlist. Gambaccini, a former Radio 1 DJ himself, said he was particularly annoyed about last week's show when host Clara Amfo (pictured) appeared to dismiss superstar Paul Simon .
target: Paul Gambaccini has blasted the BBC for destroying the Top 40 show .
  He blamed presenters' obsession with discussing pop stars' sex appeal .
  'The Chart Show has become an extension of its presenter's personality'