Radio boss defends departures
Nov 15 2007 by David Whetstone, The Journal
THE boss of Radio Newcastle has responded to criticism of the BBC station following the departure of high-profile presenters.
Andrew Robson, who took over as managing editor of the Newcastle-based station 10 months ago, said the resignations of Julia Hankin, the long-serving afternoon presenter, and Paul Wappat, who hosted the mid-morning show, had come as a surprise.
“In an ideal world, would I change two shows at the same time?” he said.
“The answer is definitely not. It creates a lot of hard work.”
In recent days, listeners have written to The Journal complaining about the loss of well known voices, with new presenter Jonathan Miles, who took over the mid-morning slot this week, attracting some criticism. Mr Miles is not a North-Easterner and has not worked in the region before.
Mr Robson, whose career before joining the BBC was in the commercial radio sector, said: “I think the North-East is becoming more cosmopolitan so it’s not that radical having someone come here from outside.”
He added: “It takes time to settle in, irrespective of whether you’re from the region.”
Another new presenter, comedian Alfie Joey, is due to start on Radio Newcastle next week, taking over the afternoon show. It emerged yesterday that Mr Wappat has been hired by new station Smooth Radio, which is due to launch from a base in Gateshead in January.
Smooth Radio, targeting listeners aged 40-plus, is owned by GMG Radio, which also owns Century FM.
It will be the sixth Smooth Radio station to launch in the UK, following London, the North-West, Glasgow, and the East and West Midlands. It will broadcast across Tyne and Wear and Teesside.
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