Joan Bakewell has urged over-75s to opt in and pay the BBC licence fee to help the corporation after it took on responsibility for their funding in a deal with the Government.
The broadcaster agreed to pay for the free licence fees in a deal that will be phased in from 2018/19 with the BBC paying the full bill from 2020/21 in a move expected to cost it around £725 million a year.
Writing in Radio Times, Bakewell compared the free licence fees to the winter fuel allowance given to pensioners regardless of their personal wealth.
She said: "So what can we over-75s do? The BBC says it will introduce a scheme for those who want to opt back in to paying the licence fee. But that will take time. Right now I'm told the best plan is to get in touch with TV licensing, who collect the fee, and tell them you want to start paying again. If you love the BBC, and if you can afford £2.80 a week, what are you waiting for?".
Bakewell was a familiar figure on BBC TV and radio for many years including stints with Newsnight and the discussion show Heart Of The Matter.