Breasts comment on Star Radio reported to Ofcom

6:00am Saturday 23rd March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Joe Willis, Regional Chief Reporter

A NORTH-EAST radio station could face legal action after a clip was broadcast criticising an ex-employee's work and making a derogatory comment about her breasts.

The woman is taking legal advice against Darlington-based Star Radio North East and has complained to communications watchdog Ofcom.

The link - apparently part of a series taking a swipe at rival North-East radio stations - was broadcast after she left to work for TFM Radio, based in Thornaby, near Stockton.

The link uses an extract apparently taken from US television comedy My Name Is Earl to refer to her as the “hot chick with the nice 'taters”.

It then criticises her work before urging TFM to “keep its hands off” another female employee.

The link ends by making a further derogatory comment about a second  staff member.

Earlier this year, the station, which broadcasts across Darlington, County Durham and North Yorkshire, changed its format after trialling ten different music styles in ten days.

The Northern Echo understands station managing director Mark Reason emailed the former employee telling her that he ordered the promotional clip to be removed immediately after it was broadcast.

He told the woman that programme director Robin Banks had attempted to call to apologise.

Mr Reason declined to comment last night.

Star Radio parent company UKRD chief executive William Rogers also refused to discuss the clip.

UKRD was recently named Number 1 Sunday Times Top 100 Best Company to Work For for the third year in a row.

Earlier this year, Mr Rogers was the keynote speaker at an Acas conference on values and engagement within the workplace. Mr Rogers said the company focused on a “values based culture”.

TFM declined to comment on the incident, although it is understood the station has also complained to Ofcom about the clip.

Ofcom said it did not discuss individual complaints but did make public the findings of its investigations when they were concluded.

Comments (20)

9:43am Sat 23 Mar 13

Oh Happy Days says...

I for one would be most happy if this individual and his breakfast show was removed from the radio - it is utter drivel and rubbish for that time of morning
I for one would be most happy if this individual and his breakfast show was removed from the radio - it is utter drivel and rubbish for that time of morning Oh Happy Days

10:18am Sat 23 Mar 13

Homshaw1 says...

Disgusting.

After that incident with the nurse in London and the Australian reporters they should realise t6he effects they can have
Disgusting. After that incident with the nurse in London and the Australian reporters they should realise t6he effects they can have Homshaw1

11:30am Sat 23 Mar 13

cherriepie says...

I listen to Star and I think the way they have a laugh poking fun at Tfm is great. The new breakfast show is fantastic and much better than the boring old one. The music now is so much better now to.

cherriepie.
I listen to Star and I think the way they have a laugh poking fun at Tfm is great. The new breakfast show is fantastic and much better than the boring old one. The music now is so much better now to. cherriepie. cherriepie

11:53am Sat 23 Mar 13

harry2 says...

Why can people no longer take a joke, th world today baffles me ??
Why can people no longer take a joke, th world today baffles me ?? harry2

1:33pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Crash bang wallop says...

star constantly gatecrash tfm events in darlington as well as poking fun at them on air. me thinks they have little man syndrome and if I believe what people tell me, staff who join star quickly realise they have made a mistake and get out asap to join bigger regional stations like capital and tfm.
star constantly gatecrash tfm events in darlington as well as poking fun at them on air. me thinks they have little man syndrome and if I believe what people tell me, staff who join star quickly realise they have made a mistake and get out asap to join bigger regional stations like capital and tfm. Crash bang wallop

1:50pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Clarebearjones says...

I used to like listening when it was alpha especially on a weekend but now it's utter drivel. Not interested in listening to all the football talk and don't get me started about the man on the breakfast show, funny that its called star when it couldn't be any more "starless" if it tried!
I used to like listening when it was alpha especially on a weekend but now it's utter drivel. Not interested in listening to all the football talk and don't get me started about the man on the breakfast show, funny that its called star when it couldn't be any more "starless" if it tried! Clarebearjones

3:31pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Homshaw1 says...

A joke is one thing. Criticising her work unless you can prove it is libel. Commenting on.her breats on air is sexist and personal. Iwould say offer her a settlement and an apology asap.
A joke is one thing. Criticising her work unless you can prove it is libel. Commenting on.her breats on air is sexist and personal. Iwould say offer her a settlement and an apology asap. Homshaw1

4:44pm Sat 23 Mar 13

outragedofmiltonkeynes says...

Err Robin Banks? Nobody else notice that one then? I suppose hes got an assistant called Wayne Kerr?
Err Robin Banks? Nobody else notice that one then? I suppose hes got an assistant called Wayne Kerr? outragedofmiltonkeynes

5:46pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Lawman3 says...

The thing that amazed me most is how this minor news story made it onto the front page of today's Echo!
The thing that amazed me most is how this minor news story made it onto the front page of today's Echo! Lawman3

6:01pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Kilma- says...

why is this even news?
why is this even news? Kilma-

7:49pm Sat 23 Mar 13

vercingetorix says...

get Alex Hall to present the show , talented local woman , controversy free and ...very good at her job ( radio show presenter/host)
get Alex Hall to present the show , talented local woman , controversy free and ...very good at her job ( radio show presenter/host) vercingetorix

10:48pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Bigcat says...

Why is this even news? Are we all reading the same article here??! This is the number one place to work in the country according the the times and they are slagging their staff off ON THE RADIO and not only about her appearance but also about her work. Whatever happened to equality in the workplace? And she can't exactly defend herself can she? This is a complete abuse of their power to broadcast their dirty laundry to the public. Especially in light of what happened to the nuse as already said. I hope this woman gets her day with them in court. The fact they have the times award for being a great place to work makes it even more farsical. I'm sure The Times will be a bit more selective next year.
Why is this even news? Are we all reading the same article here??! This is the number one place to work in the country according the the times and they are slagging their staff off ON THE RADIO and not only about her appearance but also about her work. Whatever happened to equality in the workplace? And she can't exactly defend herself can she? This is a complete abuse of their power to broadcast their dirty laundry to the public. Especially in light of what happened to the nuse as already said. I hope this woman gets her day with them in court. The fact they have the times award for being a great place to work makes it even more farsical. I'm sure The Times will be a bit more selective next year. Bigcat

9:20am Sun 24 Mar 13

Homshaw1 says...

Lawman3 wrote:
The thing that amazed me most is how this minor news story made it onto the front page of today's Echo!
that's easy to answer They are the Northern Echos major competitor for local businesses advertising budget
[quote][p][bold]Lawman3[/bold] wrote: The thing that amazed me most is how this minor news story made it onto the front page of today's Echo![/p][/quote]that's easy to answer They are the Northern Echos major competitor for local businesses advertising budget Homshaw1

3:31pm Sun 24 Mar 13

Mike2012 says...

^^ haha! Nail on the head.
^^ haha! Nail on the head. Mike2012

9:09pm Sun 24 Mar 13

cherriepie says...

Bigcat wrote:
Why is this even news? Are we all reading the same article here??! This is the number one place to work in the country according the the times and they are slagging their staff off ON THE RADIO and not only about her appearance but also about her work. Whatever happened to equality in the workplace? And she can't exactly defend herself can she? This is a complete abuse of their power to broadcast their dirty laundry to the public. Especially in light of what happened to the nuse as already said. I hope this woman gets her day with them in court. The fact they have the times award for being a great place to work makes it even more farsical. I'm sure The Times will be a bit more selective next year.
There has been no abuse of power. You are only hearing one side and making your mind up. Star are actually not commenting to drag down anyones name. If they did do this and it is as bad as the report says then yes. But I doubt there is that much truth to this whatsoever. We are only reading one side and as commented above. The Echo doesn't like Star and wants them to fail.

Echo teamed up with TFM anyone?
[quote][p][bold]Bigcat[/bold] wrote: Why is this even news? Are we all reading the same article here??! This is the number one place to work in the country according the the times and they are slagging their staff off ON THE RADIO and not only about her appearance but also about her work. Whatever happened to equality in the workplace? And she can't exactly defend herself can she? This is a complete abuse of their power to broadcast their dirty laundry to the public. Especially in light of what happened to the nuse as already said. I hope this woman gets her day with them in court. The fact they have the times award for being a great place to work makes it even more farsical. I'm sure The Times will be a bit more selective next year.[/p][/quote]There has been no abuse of power. You are only hearing one side and making your mind up. Star are actually not commenting to drag down anyones name. If they did do this and it is as bad as the report says then yes. But I doubt there is that much truth to this whatsoever. We are only reading one side and as commented above. The Echo doesn't like Star and wants them to fail. Echo teamed up with TFM anyone? cherriepie

9:23am Mon 25 Mar 13

The Love Slug says...

The breakfast show is about as funny as the generic simile I was going to write here, but didnt, because it wasnt funny.

I want Robin Banks to name and shame me on air tomorrow! I'll be listening Banksy......
The breakfast show is about as funny as the generic simile I was going to write here, but didnt, because it wasnt funny. I want Robin Banks to name and shame me on air tomorrow! I'll be listening Banksy...... The Love Slug

5:01pm Mon 25 Mar 13

Copley23 says...

And I would NEVER buy the Echo.
Complete and utter small minded parochial tripe. This non-news headline is yet another blah blah blah.....

The Echo just seems to enjoy baiting it's readers/commenters ......as my late father would say "aye, the kind of paper that could start a fight in an empty room, leave, then come back and take photo's".
And the day I have to start paying via tinterweb, I'll simply not bother.

Maybe I should write a letter to this effect and see what stirs up, or if they print it at all :-/
And I would NEVER buy the Echo. Complete and utter small minded parochial tripe. This non-news headline is yet another blah blah blah..... The Echo just seems to enjoy baiting it's readers/commenters ......as my late father would say "aye, the kind of paper that could start a fight in an empty room, leave, then come back and take photo's". And the day I have to start paying via tinterweb, I'll simply not bother. Maybe I should write a letter to this effect and see what stirs up, or if they print it at all :-/ Copley23

1:23pm Tue 26 Mar 13

Oh Happy Days says...

Clarebearjones wrote:
I used to like listening when it was alpha especially on a weekend but now it's utter drivel. Not interested in listening to all the football talk and don't get me started about the man on the breakfast show, funny that its called star when it couldn't be any more "starless" if it tried!
Like it!
[quote][p][bold]Clarebearjones[/bold] wrote: I used to like listening when it was alpha especially on a weekend but now it's utter drivel. Not interested in listening to all the football talk and don't get me started about the man on the breakfast show, funny that its called star when it couldn't be any more "starless" if it tried![/p][/quote]Like it! Oh Happy Days

9:22pm Tue 26 Mar 13

shirt of blue says...

Robin Banks - I gave him the benefit of the doubt for a week or two but have to agree he's a total muppet. Anyone who feels the need to say how wackey and crazy they are usually aren't - and he's no exception. He slags off Durham at any opportunity - if you don't like it please return to wherever you came from
Robin Banks - I gave him the benefit of the doubt for a week or two but have to agree he's a total muppet. Anyone who feels the need to say how wackey and crazy they are usually aren't - and he's no exception. He slags off Durham at any opportunity - if you don't like it please return to wherever you came from shirt of blue

10:00am Thu 28 Mar 13

outragedofmiltonkeynes says...

I havent had the pleasure of listening but surely he cant be worse than Steve "rhymes with ****" Wright on radio 2. The biggest sycophant to dribble odious rubbish into a microphone ever broadcast. He makes Richard Madeley look like a serious journalist.
I havent had the pleasure of listening but surely he cant be worse than Steve "rhymes with ****" Wright on radio 2. The biggest sycophant to dribble odious rubbish into a microphone ever broadcast. He makes Richard Madeley look like a serious journalist. outragedofmiltonkeynes

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