Tightslot - never have truer words been said. I completely agree with your sentiments.
If BA adopt these training standards to new recruits, then they should adopt them across the whole training network and not just for the BBC. I'm sure BA have thousands of applications a year, but more needs to be done to screen the 'Jodies' of the world who look very glamorous but are not competent enough for the job of Cabin Crew. Sadly many of today's youngsters do not have the ability to strike up a conversation or other social skills because of social media and the world of computers. The art of conversation face to face seems to be dying art along with reading and writing skills.
I look back on my flying career with BOAC and recall that the Cabin Crew Manager at the time did not like effeminate or camp men. He thought the best way to single them out was to get the recruitment team to ask if they like ballet. If they did, no job. I can't recall any crew at the time liking ballet!