BBC Radio 5 Live is reportedly in turmoil following an alleged dispute between presenters Tony Livesey and Clare McDonnell.
It’s been reported that Tony, aged 60, sent a message to his co-host Clare, 57, which contained disparaging remarks about her presenting skills.
The pair have been the voices of the 5Live drivetime show since February 2022, but now Clare has allegedly refused to work with Tony after receiving the contentious message.
A source told The Sun that Clare was “livid” upon reading the comments and as a result: “She no longer wants to work with him and that has caused total chaos at the station. People are being shifted all over the shop and into different slots, which isn’t going down well.”
The source also mentioned: “Clare is well within her right to be angry – but it’s made the atmosphere at 5 Live really frosty,” and described the current environment as a “nightmare”.
In recent broadcasts, the duo has not been heard together; instead, they’ve been taking turns hosting the show, with Johnny l’Anso stepping in alongside Clare on Monday and Tuesday, while Tony was joined by Leila Nathoo on Wednesday and Thursday.
Tony will be departing from his drivetime role in December to return to the late shift, taking over the 10pm-1am slot where he first started at the station in 2010. A source described the move as a “massive kick in the teeth” for Tony, reports the Mirror.
They also mentioned that Clare was pleased that the station’s bosses listened to her criticism and felt that Tony “got exactly what he deserves”. Chris Warburton is set to take over the drivetime slot from Tony.
Having co-hosted the Weekend Breakfast show for a decade, Chris will now join Clare, who remains in her current position.
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