BBC Radio Leeds presenter axed in "cost-cutting measure"
A FORMER BBC Leeds presenter has claimed the local radio station ended his contract in an attempt to save money.
Martin Kelner, a former breakfast show presenter who latterly fronted BBC Radio Leeds’ lunchtime programme, revealed he had been axed with immediate effect following his show on March 18.
Mr Kelner said he was given no warning of the decision and was told in a five-minute meeting that the station would not be renewing his contract as it is “moving in a different direction”. The journalist was paid for the remainder of his contract, which was due to end mid-May.
Writing online, Mr Kelner criticised the station’s managing editor Sanjiv Buttoo and the wider BBC, questioning the motivation behind his sudden exit.
He said: “My view is that it is a cost-cutting measure. So why not be honest and say it? As licence payers, you have a right to know.
“Because I am a freelance, I am easy to get rid of. As I understand it, two of the other three main daytime presenters are senior broadcast journalists on the staff, and therefore impossible to be dispensed with cheaply. With me out of the door, that’s 40 grand off the annual budget in a stroke.”
Mr Kelner also revealed he was paid £190 per show in his most recent role – a voluntary cut of £20 from his breakfast show pay.
“For a radio presenter of my vintage, experience etc., working as a freelance, looking after his own tax, national insurance, and so on, with no holidays, staff benefits, sick pay… that’s probably on the low side,” he said.
On top of this, the presenter was paying £20 to the BBC per show to cover payments made for shows he did not present during 2013/14, when he was forced to take time off after being diagnosed with cancer. The balance was cleared last month, he added.
Mr Kelner said more must be done to protect local radio. “The BBC cannot go on salami slicing local radio, or we’ll end up with one presenter playing Abba and asking the audience what sweets they remember as kids,” he said.
A spokesperson for the BBC said: “All radio stations need to change their schedules from time to time to meet changing audience needs. Martin’s made a great contribution and we wish him well for the future.”
