Popular BBC radio hosts are ‘sidelined by the religion of diversity’: longtime presenters at London station are removed from their slots on charges of box-ticking
- The BBC is removing popular presenters Robert Elms and Joe Good from the top spot
- Insiders fear the change in schedule has ‘jammed’ the switchboards of angry listeners
- Radio London insider says BBC ‘bined’ ‘good guys’ for diversity
NS BBC Blaming the ‘religion of diversity’ has angered employees after dumping much-loved presenters from their slots at their biggest local radio station.
A ‘Schedule Refresh’ for Radio to be Announced Soon London Two of its most popular hosts will be replaced by more diverse talent in their slots.
A source at the station said they feared there would be a backlash from viewers that could damage hearing data.
Robert Elms, 62, has been a presenter at the station since 1994 and has a loyal audience. He will lose his Monday-Friday mid-morning show
But the BBC said it was ridiculous to suggest that decisions were being made on the basis of anything other than merit.
Robert Elms, 62, has been a presenter at the station since 1994 and has a loyal audience. He would lose his Monday-Friday mid-morning show and instead present a program on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Joe Good, 66, who has been at the station since 2003 and has lunch, is being escorted to the 10 pm to 1 pm slot from Monday to Thursday.
It is understood that 57-year-old Eddie Nestor, who is black, will move on from his 5 p.m. show Monday through Thursday to replace Elms in roughly the same slot.
Zeenat Kwake, 38, who TV viewers may have seen interviewed track-side during BBC coverage of the Olympics in Tokyo, will be crowned Miss Good.
Joe Good, 66, who has been at the station since 2003 and has lunch, is being escorted to the 10 pm to 1 pm slot from Monday to Thursday.
It is said that the employees have been told not to talk to anyone about it until it is announced. But some also fear that by removing popular presenters from the top slot, the bosses are ‘deliberately crashing’ the station to move it online over the long term.
A Radio London source said: ‘They have hired some really good people for diversity. It’s like the religion of diversity in the BBC.
‘It’s every department. It should be diverse and there should be a drive to be young. We think you can’t say anything or they think you’re Jim Davidson if you start saying stuff.’
He claimed that the staff were preparing to ‘jam’ the switchboard with angry listeners after the new schedule became public.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘No one is leaving the station and all of our current presenters will still be hosting important events. We make decisions based on a person’s ability to act; To suggest otherwise is ridiculous.
The BBC has previously been accused of killing older white male presenters to attract younger listeners on Radio 5 Live.
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