Jobs go as breakfast show axed

Jobs are set to be lost at Heart Kent after its long-running radio breakfast show was axed this week. Global - which owns the station - revealed it is closing its Whitstable studio as part of plans to roll-out a single national morning show across its network by the end of this year. It will spell the end of the local programme, which broadcasts from the John Wilson Business Park in Chestfield and has been hosted by James Heming for 20 years The shake-up across the group, which also owns Capital and Smooth stations, means up to 100 people could lose their jobs. Heart will now produce a single breakfast show across England, bringing an end to the current line-up of 22 shows. Global founder Ashley Tabor made the announcement to staff on Tuesday. He said: “While the new deregulation will mean some significant changes at an operational level, these bold steps enable Global to lead the way in launching the UK’S three largest national commercial radio breakfast shows. “We’re really excited to combine the best national talent with our unique ability to include great local content in network shows on Heart, Capital and Smooth.” Global was formed in 2007 and it is the owner of the largest commercial radio company in Europe. Nicolette Bassan, who co-hosted Heart Kent’s breakfast show from 2001 to 2004, said: “James has been the voice of Kent for as long as I can remember and I’m shocked to hear of the closing of Heart Kent and I fear the impact it will have on the community and local commercial radio as a whole. “For some people in Kent who have listened to James everyday this will feel like they are losing a good friend.” Tansye Pavey, who co-hosted The Fridge when she worked for the station, said: “James Heming has been at the heart of the breakfast show for many years and deserves to be remembered with great fondness for his outstanding contribution to local radio.”