Back on the airwaves... BBC NI bows to public pressure as axed presenter Sean Coyle is given new daily show on Radio Foyle
SEAN Coyle is set to make a surprise return to the airwaves after BBC NI axed his show.
The popular presenter is poised to return with a new daily show on Radio Foyle.
The veteran radio host returns just weeks after it was revealed the broadcaster had cancelled his programme, which had been broadcast on both Radio Foyle and Radio Ulster for years.
His new show will only feature on the Radio Foyle line-up and will be on the air until spring 2020.
News of Coyle’s show being cancelled was met with a massive backlash from fans and an online petition was started, urging the BBC to reverse its decision. It quickly attracted over 7,000 signatures and a host of leading names — including SDLP chief Colum Eastwood and Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee — expressed their sadness at the news.
Coyle said he had been “overwhelmed by the response from listeners” asking him to return to the airwaves.
“So as a way of thanking them for their support, I’m going to be playing mine and their favourite songs on BBC Radio Foyle,” he said.
“We’ll be able to say a bit more about it soon and I hope that people will listen in and be part of it all.”
The 72-year-old’s show had been dropped in the same week as the fifth anniversary of the death of his long-time on-air partner Gerry Anderson’s. He announced his immediate departure from BBC NI in an emotional address live on air last month after being told earlier that week that he did not fit into the station’s plans.
The popular host told listeners that “he did not want to go”, but had been left with no choice by BBC management.
Coyle has been a fixture on the airwaves of BBC Radio Ulster for more than 35 years, first alongside Gerry Anderson, and then with his own show after his friend’s death in 2014.
The show aired from 10.30am to noon every weekday and was the third most listened-to show on Radio Ulster.
Senior Head of Production at BBC NI, Eddie Doyle, said that the station had “always hoped” Coyle would continue in his role for “a bit longer”.
“I’m pleased that we can now confirm this news,” he said.
“We know that Sean’s departure from the weekday morning schedule has concerned many listeners. None of that has been easy.
“But the good news is that he’ll now be bringing his unique mix of music, fun and audience interaction to the Foyle schedule.
“We expect to release details about Sean’s new BBC Radio Foyle programme over the next few weeks.”