Radio 2 fans’ revolt at Mayo show shake-up

SHE was drafted in to co-host Radio 2’s drivetime show as the station desperately tries to battle sexism claims.

But just two weeks after being promoted, listeners are calling for Jo Whiley to be axed. More than 9,000 people have signed two petitions calling for the broadcaster, 52, to step down and for the show to return to its old drivetime format.

Many listeners claim Miss Whiley has no chemistry with her co-host Simon Mayo, despite claims the pair used to go on family holidays together when their children were young. Others have criticised the new format, which removed the popular Foodie Thursday and Book Club section of the show. Sports presenter Matt Williams and chef Nigel Barden have also been axed.

Mayo, 59, has hosted the drivetime slot since 2010 and had more than six million listeners. Fans voiced their anger online, with one claiming the new show was ‘dry and strained’. ‘I’ve tried, but I can’t listen to @BBCRadio2 any more,’ said the critic. ‘Have loved Simon Mayo on the radio since teenage years but the new partnership has no chemistry. Such a shame they changed it.’ Another wrote: ‘Putting them together is a boring car crash. This is what happens when political correctness gets in the way of common sense.’

One petition, entitled ‘Bring back Simon Mayo and the dream team’, has received more than 7,500 signatures, while a second has received 1,600 signatures. The station emerged as one of the biggest gender pay gap culprits when the BBC published its ‘rich list’ last year.

Their co-billing means a pay boost for Miss Whiley, who previously earned between £150,000 and £200,000, and a cut for Mayo, who had been on £350,000-£400,000.

Earlier this month, Mayo said it would have been ‘unusual and not wise’ if he had been partnered with another male presenter. As part of the shake-up at the station, Sara Cox and Cerys Matthews have also been handed new Radio 2 shows.

A BBC spokesman said the corporation had wanted to pair up ‘two of our muchloved presenters in an exciting partnership’ but admitted some regular listeners are ‘unhappy with the changes’.