THE ABC:

Two of ABC TV’s biggest stars have lashed out at “ageist” attacks on former Radio National Breakfast host Fran Kelly in her new role as host of the weekly Frankly chat show that premiered on Friday.

A range of critics have complained about what they view as the ABC’s failure to foster new and younger talent in favour of the older and more experienced Kelly.

But stars of the ABC’s internationally successful children’s program Bananas in Pyjamas have leapt to Kelly’s defence.

Speaking in a rare interview in which both stars were not wearing their famous striped pyjama costumes, both B1 and B2 (main picture) said they had been outraged by the attacks on Kelly.

“We are both, shall we say, mature performers,” said either B1 or B2, as The Bug’s reporter found it difficult to distinguish between the two.

“But that has always been our strength. We have decades of experience under our belts, or lack of them since we do wear pyjamas for the show.

“In show business age brings with it experience, and Fran is a classic case.”

When asked what advice they would give to Ms Kelly in response to her critics, either B1 or B2 said she should not be afraid to confront her critics head-on.

“Fran should do what we have always done,” said B1 or B2. “Whenever any little kiddy writes to us with any criticism of our show we have no hesitation in telling the little shits to go fuck themselves.”