Mary Swift brings the issue of ageism to the fore on tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance episode.

The 54 year old wannabe causes a row between judges Nigel Lythgoe and Sisco Gomez, after they clash over who they reveal to be the oldest dancer to ever apply for the show.

Nigel is unsure of her stamina and asks her if she believes she can handle the pace of the BBC dance show. Sisco takes exception to age being made an issue, but Nigel insists he’s being realistic. Sisco snipes:

I thought you said that age wasn’t nothing but a number…

To which Lythgoe retorts:

I know…maybe you don’t, but I know how tough this programme is. So let’s get serious. I’m not here to play around. I’m here to find the best dancers we can for this programme.

And suddenly the whole argument is a moot point as Mary turns out to be…shocker!…a terrible dancer. She listlessly bops around the stage to Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. She’s not the Susan Boyle of dance, let’s put it that way. Lythgoe storms off the judging desk.

Louise Redknapp tries to diffuse the situation by commenting:

“Mary, I think you can most probably see from the reaction of Nigel going that it wasn’t working. But it’s great you like to dance and it’s an enjoyment you get. I think to bring it on stage today was a waste of time if I’m honest.”

However, Sisco makes things worse by going on to apologise to Mary on Nigel’s behalf. BIG MISTAKE! Nigel explodes over his comments , then goes on to elaborate how showcasing novelty damages their talent show. He yells:

I cannot sit here and watch the lady be silly. It makes a mockery of the whole programme. We lose the integrity of the people who work so hard to get through this process.

You’ve got to hand it to Nigel Lythgoe – he differentiates his show from the Simon Cowell circuses by insisting that they focus on serious talent, but manages to squeeze in some funny auditions while making that point. Clever Nigel!

And in case you are worried about Mary, she recently auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent so she could be back on your TV screens any day now!