Daily Mail: Absolute Radio faces ageism storm over sacking of Frank Skinner

Story from Daily Mail:

Frank Skinner's sacking from his Absolute Radio show has triggered accusations of ageism.

Skinner told listeners on Saturday that his breakfast show will be coming to an end after 15 years and admitted: 'I'm not going to pretend I took it well.'

The 67-year-old comedian said he and co-hosts Emily Dean and Pierre Novellie have been 'sacked'.

He will be leaving in May after he was told his contract is not being renewed, but added: 'I don't want to go.'

Critics hit out at the decision to end Skinner's popular show, which has been on air since 2009.

Journalist Nick Duerden suggested the decision by Absolute was due to ageism and drew parallels with the departure of Ken Bruce, 73, from BBC Radio 2 last year.

Writing in the i, he said: 'No one could understand how Radio 2 undervalued Ken Bruce quite so much, and now much the same seems to be happening with Skinner, a man of some vintage, yes, but who never looked his age, and never sounded it, either. He was good, still is.'

Telegraph writier Tristam Fane Saunders said: 'Ageism might have been a factor in Skinner's sacking. At 67, he's technically a pensioner.

'But radio, unlike football, is not a young man's game. There's no reason a good broadcaster can’t keep going until they drop. Look at Tony Blackburn, or Melvyn Bragg.'

However, industry insiders have said Skinner will now have the pick of rival stations to choose from.

One radio executive told the i: 'Frank is a great radio performer and he will be in demand. He would appeal to the BBC 6 Music audience but the best fit could be Graham Norton's slot on Virgin Radio.'

Norton announced last month that he is leaving his weekend show on the platform and Virgin is yet to confirm a permanent replacement.

Matt Deegan, a leading radio industry consultant, said: 'It's a great show and will have no trouble existing as a profitable podcast, and I'm sure there'll be interest from other radio stations too.'

Skinner told listeners on Saturday: 'My manager [called]… you know every year, about this time, we've just celebrated our 15th anniversary on the show, so obviously that means the new contract is coming, and every year I do self-deprecating jokes about the fact that we probably won't get it renewed.

'Guess what?! Yeah, we didn't! So, um, we're not just going now, I'm not going to say bye and that's the end we've got, like, several other, we've got some notice to serve, but um yeah, but no that was um… that's it!'

He continued: 'We had a good run but I realise that in recent times I am ever more becoming Grandad from The Simpsons, but even so um, yes, I'm not going to pretend I took it… well.

'I took it well in that we've had 15 years and Absolute have actually been very, very good to us in those 15 years but I didn't take it well.

'I took it in the way David Tennant took it as the tenth Doctor when he started to regenerate and said: "I don't want to go!"'

He added: 'By the way, I should make it clear, yes we are sacked. But we've got several shows left. It's not the walk of shame.'

Paul Sylvester, Absolute Radio's content director, said: 'Frank has been a huge part of the Absolute Radio story and after 15 years this is truly the end of an era.

'We are hugely grateful for the contribution he's made to both Saturday mornings and our charity comedy nights at the London Palladium.

'We'll share details of our future summer schedule in due course, but there's still a few more weeks to enjoy Frank, Emily and Pierre on Saturday mornings.'

Absolute Radio has been approached for comment over the ageism claims.

Last April, Skinner was appointed an MBE by the Princess Royal, Anne, for his services to entertainment.

He joked that upon receiving notice of his honour, he thought there may have been an 'administrative error'.

'I deal mainly in laughs and applause and they disappear into the air quite quickly.'