TalkSport sacks James Whale over 'vote Boris' call

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 06-May-08, 10:30

LONDON - TalkSport has sacked veteran presenter James Whale after he broke Ofcom's impartiality rules by urging listeners to 'vote Boris'.

The station is under investigation by the media regulator over the incident on Whale's late night talk show on March 20.

After the show several people complained to Ofcom, which has rapped TalkSport over a similar case before.

In November last year it ruled TalkSport was responsible for a serious breach of the broadcasting code on impartiality in politics when phone-in host and MP George Galloway criticised a rival for the constituency of Poplar and Limehouse, Jim Fitzpatrick.

A TalkSport spokesman said Whale, who had been with the station for 12 years, had been "guilty of a gross error of judgment which we found to be totally unacceptable".

"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."

Max Rushton is filling in on Whale's 10pm-1am Sunday to Thursday show while TalkSport seeks a replacement.

Comments

Peter Martin - 06/05/2008

Crikey, there won't be anyone left at the BBC soon, then. Or do you have to actually say the words, as opposed to in every other way nodding and winking as good as... Funny how broadcast seems to be held to such standards when online is not. And as for print... between such as the Evening Standard and The (You all voted the wrong way...you don't deserve a vote) Guardian, well... I look for more dismissals following serious breaches in the days to come. Oh look, a flying pig!