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Radio host James Whale is sacked  
 
James Whale had been with Talksport since it launched as Talk Radio in 1995

Radio host James Whale has been fired by Talksport after urging listeners to vote for Conservative candidate Boris Johnson in London's mayoral elections.

The comments were made on 20 March during his late-night programme.

A Talksport spokesman said: "James Whale's contract with the station has been terminated after a breach of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code."

Under Ofcom rules, presenters are banned from showing any bias towards a political party before an election.

  James Whale is guilty of a gross error of judgement, which we found to be totally unacceptable

Talksport

The Talksport spokesman described the matter as "very unfortunate".

"We have investigated the matter and after serious consideration, the station reached the decision that there was a clear breach of the rules and that we had no choice but to terminate his contract," he said.

"James Whale is guilty of a gross error of judgement, which we found to be totally unacceptable.

"Talksport has acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints received, does not excuse the content of the broadcast and has told Ofcom that it has taken steps to prevent this happening again."

  He's saddened at the way this has happened and it's come as a huge shock

James Whale's agent Stuart Hobday

The matter was being investigated by Ofcom, he added.

The presenter's agent Stuart Hobday said Whale was "deeply disappointed".

"He's spent 13 happy years at Talksport," he said. "He's saddened at the way this has happened and it's come as a huge shock."

Ofcom have confirmed they are investigating the case.

A statement said: "Ofcom is currently investigating three complaints about comments made by James Whale during his show on Talksport.

"All UK broadcasters must adhere to the Ofcom's Broadcasting Code which sets standards for the content of television and radio broadcasting.

"In particular, broadcasters must ensure due impartiality is preserved on matters of major political or industrial controversy and major matters relating to current public policy."

Whale, 56, started his career at Metro Radio in Newcastle in 1974 and had his own late-night show on ITV in the early '90s, The James Whale Radio Show.

He had been with Talksport since it launched in 1995 as Talk Radio.

He considered standing for London mayor in 2006.

Sounds like he was an idiot.

Actually if that's the bloke I think it is then he is an idiot.

Guilty of a 'gross error of judgement' by supporting Boris the clown.  everyone who voted for Boris should be sacked.

Im sorry I have no idea who he is  :wink:

Boris seems a bit of a buffoon to me but I cant say that at work as the women I sit next to "once met him in a hotel" or something and wont have a bad word said about him

Good riddance.

Boris is better than Red Ken. At least hes entertaining!- Talksport is getting crapper by the day. Will listen to Virgin radio instead!

Boris is better than Red Ken. At least hes entertaining!- Talksport is getting crapper by the day. Will listen to Virgin radio instead!

whale just repeated himself all the time anyway.listen for a week then you've heard it all from the bloke really.his interviews were rubbish as he turned all to about him(a bit like lilly allen does)
but the fact is he has a big following and will get a job elsewhere.

talksport is gash lately,the commentary from in a studio while they watch it on tv is a typical thing that they do.
i used to listen a fair bit but hardly at all nowadays

Stop shouting rich.

He was sacked because he broke strict rules governing all broadcasters which say they're not allowed to endorse any candidate/party for a given period before elections. If I broke one of the strictest rules governing my job (and so exposed my employer to sanctions from the authorities) I'd probably be sacked too. As would most of us.

Fish out of water. Something about blubber. Probably didn't do it on porpoise. He's been a bit of a moby dick here yes?

Whale is for the most part unlistenable hopefully Danny Kelly will get his job

Like subliminal advertising or the like ? :)

The whole station is unlistenable, tune in for  transfer talk etc all you get are unfunny shouty presenters who think they are funny, and van insurance ads, down market rubbish!

Are you Neville in disguise?!  :D

Sounds like he's getting the same punishment anybody else would. Of course it's a blow to him but rules are rules

I don't mind - anyone can join in.

The neville w school of thought - you'll have a whale of a time.

I'd love a new Baker and Kelly Bohemian Rhapsody style effort  8)

Oh I dunno I quite like it.

Hawksbee and Jacobs arent shouty and Mike Parry is a modern day genius.

James Whale is a cock.

Mike Parry is a comedy god................

I can't see it unfortunately. The station seems to have decided that the "shockjock" reactionary bastard line of presenter is the one with the most appeal to their demographic.

Jon Gaunt. What a cunt.

Well I must say that I've always liked Richard Bacon. He has an Alan Partridge quality to him.

Into a bit of the old "David Blaine" as well.

With, as Yeovil said, the honourable exception of Hawksbee and Jacobs who are witty and intelligent. What the hell they're doing on there is beyond me.


Which is exactly the reaction he wants. I suspect a large percentage of it is persona and that he secretly writes sonnets and knits bootees for refugee babies in his spare time

Hes always been a shock jock...hes ill and will probably be glad of a break.

Oooh Mr Whale it appears has got a job on bid up TV or whatever its called  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I understand why he was sacked but seems to be a bit of a joke that they can sack him for that when the got Galloway saying who he supports what he wants doing etc every week.

all about timing, mad as it is.

Mental Arriba, i actually like galloway though

You can state your political views on TV and radio as much as you like, although on TV the broadcaster is compelled to show some balance in its broadcasting overall. However, there are specific rules governing what you can say in the period immediately before an election, when you CANNOT advise people who to vote for. All broadcasters are aware of these rules and he deliberately broke it. So he got sacked.

And he's a gobby, unfunny, reactionary, beardy twat....