News RSS Feed Send your news, pictures & videos


Updated: Essex FM admits duping listeners

12:10am Saturday 1st November 2008 in News By Emma Palmer

Essex FM's Martin Day was mysteriously off air Essex FM's Martin Day was mysteriously off air

ESSEX FM duped listeners in a “foolish” publicity stunt in which two presenters were taken off the air.

Breakfast show DJs Martin Day and Su Harrison were off air for three days this week after the station announced their suspension for making inappropriate comments.

Yesterday, bosses at Global Radio, which owns Essex FM, said the move was a publicity stunt and apologised to listeners.

The news came as BBC Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas quit following the controversy surrounding messages left on actor Andrew Sachs’s answering machine by presenters Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross. Brand, who is from Grays, quit the station on Wednesday and Ross is suspended for 12 weeks.

A statement from Global Radio, owners of Essex FM, said: “Essex FM appears to have undertaken an unauthorised publicity stunt, which involved the station’s breakfast show.

“Clearly this was a foolish attempt to mislead the public and we apologise to listeners. Global Radio is holding an inquiry and will take the appropriate action.”

The admission comes the day after the station’s programme director, Chris Cotton, told the Echo the decision to take the duo off air was not a publicity stunt, adding that it would be a “risky” thing to do.

Fans of the show who organised protests and internet support campaigns for the presenters were furious they had been tricked.

Tania Furber, 32, of Bellmaine Avenue, Corring-ham, who organised a protest outside the radio station’s offices in Chelmsford on Tuesday, said: “It’s disgusting, I’m disgusted.

“It makes a mockery of the fans. It’s unfair and not a nice thing to do.

“I probably won’t be listening any more.”

Related links

Another listener, Bradley Smith, 33, Chenies Drive, Laindon, said: “I’m appalled. The public have been supporting them and it was all just to get as much publicity as they could.”

It has been claimed that Su, who lives in Hockley, was actually on annual leave that had been booked for weeks and was visiting family in Leicester.

Both she and Martin Day, from Canewdon, have been unavailable for comment this week while stories of their suspension circulated.

Last night Essex FM bosses were unavailable for comment, but one worker said many of the crew were upset about the stunt.

He said: “A lot of us feel it has gone too far. It’s not right to dupe the public like this.”

Comments(42)

Albo says...
8:43am Fri 31 Oct 08

Sack 'em! Sack 'em all!

They'll be ringing up local pensioners and leaving lewd answerphone messages next.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Lil1 says...
9:05am Fri 31 Oct 08

They should be sacked, I can't believe this. I will never trust them again. I have always liked them but now I just treat Essex FM with suspicion.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Danny 73 says...
9:21am Fri 31 Oct 08

A desperate stunt from a station going down hill fast - half of the time it comes from London (check Invicta at the weekends and its exactly the same shows)and most of its better presenters are now either on Southend Radio, Dream or BBC Essex (John Leech has a show starting on BBC Essex soon by the way).
Great timing though with the Brand/Ross story - they couldn't have picked a worst time to do it.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Winston Smith says...
9:29am Fri 31 Oct 08

AS I said elsewhere, Essex FM is a waste of bandwidth. It is a fading radio station that is now stale and boring, with the same predictable playlist repeated all day.

Southend Radio knocks spots off Essex FM.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

gogetalife says...
9:30am Fri 31 Oct 08

How sad are they, i knew the show was getting worse but i didnt think times were that bad.... And how stupid must the fans feel after going through such a traumatic experience with the fact that there was no more Martin & Sue...ha ha ha...even staging a protest... now come on there are more things in life than martin and sue....GET A LIFE...

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Winston Smith says...
9:37am Fri 31 Oct 08

I forgot to add:

This just goes to show what low regard Essex FM, and Martin & Sue have for their listeners.

I'll stay with Southend Radio.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Soozie says...
9:55am Fri 31 Oct 08

I'm changing my morning station now - how sad are they to have to pull a stunt like this.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

VictoriaLS says...
9:57am Fri 31 Oct 08

I can't believe this - well now I shall be switching to Southend Radio constantly - I kept feeling sorry for Essex FM when I put it on in the car - well my bathroom and kitchen radio are being retuned today - Ta ta Essex FM!!!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

stinka says...
10:56am Fri 31 Oct 08

i have word word to say about this "pathetic"!! are Essex FM so desperate that they have to stoop so low?? all they will have achieved from this is a reduction in listeners

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

25JAS says...
10:57am Fri 31 Oct 08

Typical, well im now also off to other stations as well. Not a great fan of Southend Radio, but it will do, I dont like being lied to. Wish we got Magic FM in better quality in Southend, maybe they should take over Essex FMs Frequency!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Gadey says...
11:08am Fri 31 Oct 08

Quiet day in the office at Southend Radio then?

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Pro Police says...
11:37am Fri 31 Oct 08

ha ha is it just me or do we think those six people who wasted a day protesting look really stupid now?
Essex FM is filled with adverts and poor DJ's Martin and Sue are passed it get rid of them and bring in some new presenters i switched off years ago after getting board with the stations poor content.
Martin and Sue goodbye

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Cor Blimey says...
12:20pm Fri 31 Oct 08

oh dear, Essex FM have gone to far this time.

Im another that has now switched stations.

This is on prank that has certainly back fired - shame on you.

Has their even been an apology to the listners?

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

BlueBoySS1 says...
12:57pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Being honest I stopped listening to Essex FM a few years ago encouraged by their boring playlist and move from Southend to Chelmsford.

Southend Radio's a good alternative, Radio 2's not bad either! (Wogan Wright Evans)

Martin and Su have had a good run in terms of how long they've been the voices of Breakfast Time Essex Radio but maybe for both themselves and their publicity seeking employers it's time for fresh faces and new challenges all round.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Imogen says...
12:57pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Try Capital radio with Johnny Vaughn, i did when Martin and Sue were supposedly suspended - really liked it. Will stick with it now!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

BlueBoySS1 says...
1:00pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Thinking about it there IS a current potential vacancy doing late night Saturday's on Radio 2! Lol

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

stolmasund62 says...
1:27pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Seems like we've all been conned. Like everyone else, I'm disappointed that those at Essex FM resorted to a cheap stunt like this - In no way were any of their comments as serious as those by Brand and Ross. I think it's quite sad and pathetic. I shall definitely not be listening to this station anymore.. Not even my favourite show, "Best 80s show in the world" - Sorry Martin &Su, you've done it this time.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

benfleetbird26 says...
1:35pm Fri 31 Oct 08

How insulting to their listeners.
I stopped listening to them when unbearable Sue started, she is just hideous. The poor protestors deserve a grovelling apology and then some!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Beth the original one says...
1:42pm Fri 31 Oct 08

well i did say they were rude and arrogant didnt i. But i got shouted down for that opinion, now what do you say. I feel really sorry for the fans of m&s, you must feel really let down and duped. I hope all their fans will get an apology for being made to look fools for their undying support.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Dibach says...
2:14pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Good bye Essex FM I have changed the radio`s in my house, car etc. I hope you really go down the pan and all the people that lose their jobs don`t blame the public, look at the morons in charge of your company.
GOOD BYE FOR EVER RIP ESSEX FM

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Dibach says...
2:14pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Good bye Essex FM I have changed the radio`s in my house, car etc. I hope you really go down the pan and all the people that lose their jobs don`t blame the public, look at the morons in charge of your company.
GOOD BYE FOR EVER RIP ESSEX FM

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Robb says...
3:18pm Fri 31 Oct 08

You know what would bring them back up? Radio-idol. For 1 hour everyday you get a presenter during breakfast, and people can vote for who they like, that person, then takes over Breakfast on Essex FM.

I'd have a go!!! lol

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

allan348 says...
4:45pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Nice one Martin & Sue,

How many of these comments makers have lied about the reason they are not in work at some time in their life!

The rest of them that have not listened to the show for weeks so really couldn't be offended by the prank!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Carolina says...
5:07pm Fri 31 Oct 08

I think it was quite a funny stunt. It's no worse than an April Fool joke, only in October instead. I can't understand why everyone is getting so irrate and taking it so personally. Maybe it's because you all fell for the joke?! Cmon stop being so uptight. It hasn't done anyone any harm. There are a lot worse things to worry about in life.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Beth the original one says...
5:11pm Fri 31 Oct 08

allan348 wrote:
Nice one Martin & Sue, How many of these comments makers have lied about the reason they are not in work at some time in their life! The rest of them that have not listened to the show for weeks so really couldn't be offended by the prank!
quite a lot i should imagine alan, but they dont broadcast it so publicly and then humiliate the handful of listeners who actually stuck up for them by actually admitting it was a sick stunt. I think you will find THAT is what has annoyed people, not the fact that it was a stunt, but the fact that they denied it was, inferred it was over what was said on a friday show, got people to protest, and then say "hey it was only a joke"

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

SARFENDMAN says...
5:33pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Cheap stunt from cheap Radio Station in desparate attempt to attract media attention and reverse poor listening ratings. Failed all round on every count. Pathetic!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Discouraged says...
6:09pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Do not get upset if entertainers fool you. They are plastic people and what they do is irrelevant. Leave them on your car radio they are pleasant enough in the background rather like pot-pourri in an over used toilet

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

pjd11 says...
6:22pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Great - I've suddenly started to receive promotional SPAM from Essex FM - thats why they wanted you to comment on the story - just to get your email address. Pathetic - Hello Sounthend Radio!!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

TheCleaner says...
7:57pm Fri 31 Oct 08

WooHoo! Essex FM. I shall be listenin in from now on. They sound like fun. Especially that Su.
PHWOAR!
Don't see what all the fuss is about meself.
Oh yes. Morrisons are doing four bottles of cider for five English Dollar pounds. I recommend Old Rosie for those of you in the know.
Sue, Phwoar!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

mcrobber says...
9:06pm Fri 31 Oct 08

sack them, they are both rubbish anyway , I switched off ages ago. who wants to listen to sues cackle and martins whining at that time in the morning, and their 80s show even more rubbish!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Walt Jabsco says...
9:49pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Carolina wrote:
I think it was quite a funny stunt. It's no worse than an April Fool joke, only in October instead. I can't understand why everyone is getting so irrate and taking it so personally. Maybe it's because you all fell for the joke?! Cmon stop being so uptight. It hasn't done anyone any harm. There are a lot worse things to worry about in life.
Hmmm - not my idea of humour! What's so funny about that?? Even Graham Norton is funny compared with that.

I hope it didn't make Sue laugh - her laugh reminds me the wizard of oz.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

lesley o'shea says...
10:08pm Fri 31 Oct 08

Come on people get a life, it was a bit of a laugh, where is your sense of humour? Its because you all believed it that you are annoyed, would you feel the same if it was April Fools Day? I love Martin and Su and if they were taken off air for this I would be really upset, its not as if they have hurt someone or done anything anywhere near as bad as Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand. I hope that Global Radio see the funny side of it because the morning show would not be the same if they weren't on air, if they dont do their breakfast show then I wont be listening to Essex anymore. Long Life Martin and Su and a bit of fun xxx

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

evilc says...
8:58am Sat 1 Nov 08

Fantastic publicity.

'Your my favorites'

Although as far as making history locally Radio Caroline without doubt was the best,after suffering years of the fading Radio Luxemburg.

I can remember all the comments then about the pirate station that eventually changed history.

Anyway Disc Jockeys must do stupid things to attract attention otherwise what have they really go
to offer.


Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Beth the original one says...
9:46am Sat 1 Nov 08

i think you will find that most people have "got a life" they just dont happen to like being lied to or being made fools of. I feel sorry for those people that boycotted the radio station and waved placards, Martin and sue have shown their contempt for their listeners as they knew right from the off that this was a stunt. They have often shown their contempt for their listeners in their derogatory comments, but to set their listeners up like this shows that their contempt has no limit. THAT IS WHAT HAS ANNOYED PEOPLE, NOT THE FACT THAT IT WAS A STUNT, BUT THAT THEY HAVE SHOWN THEIR TRUE COLOURS AND IT HAS UPSET AND EMBARRASSED THEIR FANS THAT STUCK UP FOR THEM

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

alygee says...
11:43am Sat 1 Nov 08

What the station forgets is no listners, no advertisers, no jobs.
If next time they had a on air competition no one phoned in that would make them think.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

whosyadaddy says...
3:23pm Sat 1 Nov 08

stupid stupid stupid
these 2 used to be the funiest people on air but now its time for them to say good bye to there listners as i have since gone to southend radio and if i could get it in my house it would be on every radio i have......BYE BYE MARTIN AND SUE

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

lenonline says...
4:59pm Sat 1 Nov 08

When I first noticed on Monday that Martin was missing on Monday with the annoucement going out frequently about Martin and Su not being on air, smelt a rat and immediately phoned someone I know in the radio trade, who told me it was a spoof, and all would be announced soon.

The is no real Essex FM now just look at the programmes on all the stations in the group they belong too.

They have about 3 local programmes a day and then the presenters are on all stations in in the group and its only jingles and adverts and some new items are local.

Even when programmes are genuinely coming out of Essex FM, the play list is identical to the others. For those of you in Essex just tune into SGR, Invicta, Q103 or Broadland and you will hear the same record being played.

What ever happened to www.SaveOurEssexFM.c
om that come into being when Essex FM was taken over by GWR .... that organisation prevented mass networking then, what about now

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

taxi driver says...
9:08pm Sat 1 Nov 08

well I am sorry but you have lost a listerner here essex fm

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

mcrosby says...
12:26pm Sun 2 Nov 08

It's not going to be long until the station is rebranded as "Heart Essex". I don't think Martin and Su will survive the switch over to that.

I've not listened for years myself. I prefer the radio 1 breakfast show with Chris Moyles personally.

I really can't believe how Essex FM has treated it's listeners. I have lost all trust in the station now.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

Man About The House says...
3:58pm Sun 2 Nov 08

I have not listened to Essex FM for ages (years probably) due to the insulting remarks made by the presenters, especially on the breakfast show. Sue once talked about a woman at the playgroup where her daughter went at the time and was quite descriptive about this womans faults. Sue ..... do you really think everybody at that playground didn't know who you was talking about. If that had been my wife / girlfriend I can assure you a very promt complaint would have been written when it happened.
Rude, arrogant and above all, **** right inconsiderate to the people of Essex is about all I can say about Martin and Sue.

Essex FM ......... Get rid of them and start getting your act together for the sake of commercial radio, before you ruin what could be a good radio station.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

finegan says...
5:17pm Sun 2 Nov 08

from the ammount of comments it seems as if everyone of their 62 listeners took the trouble to write.
I'm quite suprised at the number.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

lisaxxx says...
10:06pm Sun 2 Nov 08

So it was a a publicity stunt, why is everyone blaming Martin and Su, I bet they had no say it, it would be the bosses who came up with the stupid idea and they probably had no choice but to go along with it!

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

click2find

Most popular


About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree