Fans round on BBC after Mayo and Whiley leave Radio 2 Drivetime slot
ANGRY fans blasted BBC bosses last night after it was announced Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley will leave their Radio 2 Drivetime show after just a few months on air together.
Listeners took to social media to claim that a perfectly good show, previously presented by Mayo alone, had been ruined by the addition of Ms Whiley.
Rumours of a rift between the presenters were swiftly denied by Mayo, who also attacked fans who had been cruel to his co-host.
But there was growing anger from listeners who questioned why a winning formula had been tampered with.
Nigel Quin summed up the feelings of many, tweeting: “Drivetime used to be a great show, with a top format, then they decided to fix it when it wasn’t broken.”
Another fan wrote: “Whoever ****** up planning at Radio 2 wants sacking, along with the person who gave them the job! Why fix if not broken?”
As a result of the changes, Mayo, 60, will leave BBC Radio 2 altogether but will continue to present his Radio 5 Live film show with Mark Kermode.
Ms Whiley, 53, will remain on the station but moves to the 7-9pm slot, which means Drive will get a new presenter, with Sara Cox favourite to take the role.
Mayo wrote on Twitter yesterday: “I’ve loved working with the exceptional Jo Whiley and when the show was ‘reconfigured’ she was my first and only choice.
“Some of the abuse she has had has been appalling. Support for a show is one thing, assaulting the dignity of a warmhearted and loyal friend is another.”