Veteran DJ slams BBC Radio 2 over snubbing professionals in favour of celebs
Broadcaster Alex Lester was axed from the station after 30 years, losing his show After Midnight to repeats
VETERAN BBC broadcaster Alex Lester has slammed Radio 2’s regular hiring of television stars to present its shows.
Alex, 60, was axed from the station in January after 30 years, losing his show After Midnight to repeats and playlists.
He said: “It’s galling. They bring in people who I don’t think are very good, but are on TV.”
Blasting their decision, he said: “Colleagues of mine go, ‘Why don’t they have proper presenters on Radio 2?’ Because it’s Radio 2, that’s why.
“It’s a different beast and you can’t say it’s not successful because it is."
Among the famous telly stars to have been handed shows on Radio 2 are X Factor presenter Demot O’Leary and Strictly host Claudia Winkleman.
TV chat show stars Paul O’Grady and Graham Norton also have regular slots on the station.
Alex added: “Radio 2’s rationale is, ‘Are you famous? OK, we will think about talking to you about maybe putting you on the station’.
“I’m fortunate to have lasted 30 years because I never got famous.”
Radio 2 said its presenters are “some of the best-loved personalities from a wide range of broadcasting, music and performing backgrounds”.
In January Radio 2 axed all original programming from its overnight schedules on weekdays and replaced it with reruns and “playlists” in a cost-cutting measure.