Talksport host James Whale sacked over Boris plug

Article/comments:

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=146210&in_page_id=34

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Radio presenter James Whale has been sacked for urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in the London's mayoral elections.

The Talksport host prompted a number of complaints to the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom after he made the comments during his late night show on March 20.

The matter is now being investigated by Ofcom as there are clear rules forbidding broadcasters from expressing any bias during an election.

However, Talksport mounted its own inquiry and has sacked the veteran presenter, aged 56, who had a history of courting controversy.

Talksport said: "James Whale was guilty of a serious error of judgment which we found totally unacceptable."

Whale had worked for the station since it was launched as Talk Radio in 1995.

In 2007, he plugged on air the release of his book "Almost a Celebrity: A lifetime of Night-time", in an attempt to out-sell another Talksport presenter John Gaunt, whose book was published at the same time.

He is also an outspoken right-winger who had considered standing for mayor himself and has repeatedly spoken of his admiration for Margaret Thatcher.

'Vote Boris' radio presenter sacked

http://www.thelondonpaper.com/cs/Satellite/london/breakingnews/article/1157288965554?packedargs=suffix%3DBreakingNews

Radio presenter James Whale has been sacked following complaints about him urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in London's mayoral elections.

Ofcom is investigating comments made in Whale's broadcast on TalkSport on March 20.

A spokeswoman for the regulator said it is looking into three complaints.

TalkSport, which carried out its own investigation, said in a statement that Whale's contract had been terminated after a breach of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code regarding due impartiality.

The statement said: "It's very unfortunate. We have investigated the matter and after serious consideration, the station reached the decision that there was a clear breach of the rules and that we had no choice but to terminate his contract.

"James Whale is guilty of a gross error of judgment which we found to be totally unacceptable. Ofcom received a number of complaints following Whale's broadcast on March 20.

"Talksport has acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints received, does not excuse the content of the broadcast and has told Ofcom that it has taken steps to prevent this happening again.

"The matter is still under investigation by Ofcom so it would be inappropriate to comment any further on the details of the complaints."

The radio and television broadcaster has presented late night phone-in programmes for decades, starting on Metro Radio in Newcastle.

The 56-year-old presenter's agent Stuart Hobday told the BBC that Whale was "deeply disappointed", adding: "He's spent 13 happy years at TalkSport. He's saddened at the way this has happened and it's come as a huge shock."

Sacked 'Boris scandal' radio presenter James Whale lands television job

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=564559&in_page_id=1770

Last updated at 12:08pm on 7th May 2008

Sacked radio presenter James Whale has landed a job on a television shopping channel, it was announced today.

Whale, who was fired by radio broadcaster Talksport following complaints about him urging his listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in London's mayoral elections, is to join home shopping channel Bid TV.

The channel said Mr Whale will appear on screens in a high profile evening slot, starting later this month.

The veteran Yorkshire-based radio presenter, 56, said: "People might be surprised to know that years ago I worked as a trainee buyer at Harrods so my career has come full circle.

"I'm up for a new challenge and it won't be long before I know more about diamond jewellery, toasters and kettles than anyone could ever imagine."

Ofcom is still investigating the comments aired in Mr Whale's broadcast on Talksport on March 20 that had sparked a series of complaints.

A spokeswoman for the regulator said yesterday it is looking into three complaints.

Talksport, which carried out its own investigation, said previously in a statement that Whale's contract had been terminated after a breach of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code regarding due impartiality.

The statement said: "It's very unfortunate. We have investigated the matter and after serious consideration, the station reached the decision that there was a clear breach of the rules and that we had no choice but to terminate his contract.

"James Whale is guilty of a gross error of judgement which we found to be totally unacceptable."

But Andy Hodgson, spokesman for Bid TV, said today: "Talksport's loss is Bid TV's gain.

"We're delighted to welcome James on board and expect him to stoke some bargain-hunting fever amongst our viewers in his true, inimitable style."

The radio and television broadcaster has presented late night phone-in programmes for decades, starting on Metro Radio in Newcastle.

There's a daily audio blog/podcast that can be listened to here:

http://www.jameswhaleradio.com/

My Life In Media: James Whale

Interview by Jamie Merrill
Monday, 19 May 2008

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/my-life-in-media-james-whale-830556.html