Phat Joe too blunt for East Coast Radio listeners
IN JUST one year with East Coast Radio, DJ Phat Joe had 77 complaints lodged against him with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA).
Last week, the station announced an agreement to part ways as Phat Joe pursues other ventures.
Known for his wry sense of humour, it would appear the host of the drive-time show was too blunt for KwaZuluNatal listeners.
A registrar at the BCCSA said the presenter had 53 complaints against him last year and 24 this year.
In one incident, the station was fined R30 000 for a comment he made that he was feeling “Down syndromish”.
But the complaints were not his reason for leaving.
Programming manager Zane Derbyshire said the presenter left due to commitments in Joburg. He said while ECR respected and attended to the complaints laid against Phat Joe by its listeners, those complaints did not influence the decision not to renew his contract. “We hired Phat Joe knowing his personality and we wanted him to bring a bit of spark to the show. And he did. As much as we respect our listeners, the complaints did not influence us. The decision was taken by him and the station. Phat Joe had other commitments that needed him to be in Joburg full-time.
“ECR wanted a presenter who would make the show a number one priority, and that was impossible as he had other commitments. There’s no bad blood between the station and him. We may still work with him.”
Although Derbyshire was tight-lipped as to who would be replacing Phat Joe, he said listeners could expect another well-known DJ to take over.
Phat Joe was recently unveiled as the presenter for DStv channel Vuzu’s upcoming dating game show, Take Me Out Mzansi.