JAMES WHALE SACKED- IS ANYONE A LISTENER?-A LOSS TO RADIO

[SWINRICH]

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.

[flammableBen]

Sounds like he was an idiot.

[flammableBen]

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

[Cookie]

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

[Jamiesfuturewife]

Im sorry I have no idea who he is  

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

[land_of_bo]

Good riddance.

[SWINRICH]

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

[SWINRICH]

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

[Arriba]

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

[axs]

Stop shouting rich.

[pauld]

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.

[lebowski]

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?

[yeo]

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

[neville w]

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.

Like subliminal advertising or the like ?

[suttonred]

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

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!