The 'folk' scene has come out of the doldrums after far too long in it, thanks to the rising generation of young 'uns. Most of what Mike plays has changed little from what he played ten years ago and Jim Lloyd before him, and is in dire need of diversification.
More exciting times were had in the past when Paul James had his Euro-folk series, there was a half hour of the best of the rising wave of English ceilidh bands, documentaries with and by movers and shakers such as Simion Evans, Doc Rowe and Bill Leader. There was also an interesting time when John Kirkpatriock deputised for Mike - he was never asked again! Conversely, the Beeb has missed an entire boat by excluding the rising interest in Traditional Music (Veteran et al), the West Gallery movement, to name but a few.
The best we seem to do is the Young Tradition Award, but that's all it seems to do.
PS I'm 56, but still behaving like I'm 18!
PPS Ah! Old Vermin isn't who I thought he is, as the real Old Vermin has only just celebrated his 60th!