There was surprise when Miss Scott, 57, decided to accept an offer of £250,000 and an apology from the broadcaster after suggesting she wanted to publicly highlight ageism against women in the industry.

However, she is said to have changed her mind about appearing before an employment tribunal after her father's health deteriorated.

Charles Scott, 81, a retired police officer, died in Scarborough Hospital after suffering a stroke on Christmas Eve.

Miss Scott was at his bedside when he passed away, along with her mother Betty, sisters Fiona and Vanessa and Angela, and brother Robin, editor of Shooting Times.

A source told The Daily Mail: "Her father's illness and her need to be close to him during his last days so upset her, Selina felt unable to continue with the action and instead she reluctantly agreed accepted a six-figure sum in compensation.

"She has observed a great deal of ageism in television and it disgusts her. It was for that reason she was so determined to have her day in court."

Miss Scott accused Channel Five of ageism after it offered her a high-profile role but then gave the job to two much younger broadcasters.

During the summer she had been lined up by a news executive to provide maternity cover for Natasha Kaplinsky on Five News.

She was initially told that her pay would match that of the woman she was due to replace – about £500,000 for six months' work – and gave up her other professional opportunities to take the job.

But in June, Channel Five – whose news bulletins are provided by Sky News – announced that Kaplinsky would be replaced by Isla Traquair, 28, and Matt Barbet, 32.

It was claimed that the channel wanted younger stars presenting its flagship news programme.

Miss Scott then launched an action to take the broadcaster to an employment tribunal, claiming it had turned her down for the job because she was too old. As well as age discrimination, she also claimed she was the victim of sexism and breach of contract.

Miss Scott complained to The Daily Telegraph earlier this year that older female presenters are "excluded" from television while men are allowed to stay on screen no matter what their age.

"How many women are there on mainstream current affairs programmes who are over 50?" she asked in January.

Her views echoed those of a string of female television presenters and reporters who have complained about sexist and ageist attitudes among TV executives, including Anna Ford, Kate Adie and Kirsty Young.