Listeners have said they ‘won’t be tuning in’ to Hits Radio after Leanne Campbell’s breakfast show is axed. Hits Radio, formerly Radio City, will stop broadcasting the show this summer as it is set to be replaced by a national programme.
Leanne Campbell, who has co-hosted breakfast on Radio City and Hits Radio for more than 10 years, and her current presenting partner Joel Ross, will vanish from their current 6am-10am time slot. The show was the only one left on Hits Radio Liverpool that had a Merseyside link, after the Radio City breakfast show was combined with the one broadcast on Lancashire’s Rock FM – which Joel hosted.
The Liverpool station and 14 others across the country were rebranded to Hits Radio last April. That meant the end of the Radio City name. Just before Christmas last year, the station also closed in St. John’s Beacon, where it had been based since 2000.
Parent company Bauer Media revealed that it will scrap local and regional breakfast shows on all of its Hits Radio stations for the whole of England and Wales from June 9. Sharing her thoughts to Facebook page ‘Ladies of Liverpool’, Leanne Campbell said: “Our show will be replaced by a national show.
“To every single one of you who has woken up with me in Liverpool for over 22 years, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has been the greatest privilege to be part of your mornings, to share the laughter, the stories, our lives and all the moments that have made this job so special THANK YOU!”
She continued: “Your support has always meant the world to me and without it we wouldn’t have smashed those glass ceilings together. What a journey! The scouse ‘travel girl’ is forever grateful for what we achieved! X”
Fans took to social media to express their ‘shock’, while some listeners said they would no longer be tuning in to Hits Radio. Alex Litwinski said: “Sorry to hear this. I won’t be tuning in once Leanne gone!
“Wishing her all the very best for the future, and thank you for all the laughs she’s given Liverpool in the mornings. Won’t be the same without Leanne and Joel.”
Sally Miller added: “Really hope Leanne goes on to bigger and better things, she will be so missed… a burst of friendly sunshine in the mornings. Hits Radio is going to lose a lot of morning listeners.”
Lynn Swift said she was ‘absolutely gutted’ after hearing the news of the show’s axing, adding: “Leanne Campbell, you are the heart and soul of Liverpool.
“You are down with the listeners and you are always game for a laugh. You are the reason I laugh along every morning, so thank you.
“I really don’t think I will listen to Hits Radio when you’ve gone, which is sad because I have been a Radio City listener for 50 years now. I remember it’s launch very well!
“Lee Butler is really missed too, another Scouser giving it loads for true Scousers in our region. Hearing this news is not nice news at all and will be a huge loss to many.”
Mark Leach said: “Such a shame to hear this. Listened to their breakfast show for years. Was literally the only thing that kept me listening to that station. Won’t be listening anymore.”
Debi Boynton added: “I wish Leanne and Joel all the best for the future. I loved our local radio and no way will I be listening to any national radio program. Leanne feels like a good friend I will miss her. She makes me laugh so much.”
Simon Myciunka, CEO of Bauer Media Audio UK, said of the shift to fully networked programmes: “We continually evolve to meet audience behaviours and advertiser needs and by launching one single national breakfast show across Hits Radio, we are supercharging our efforts to provide a more unified, engaging experience across the entire schedule while also retaining local news and information.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to our Hits Radio breakfast teams in England and Wales as they embark on their final run of shows. Their significant contribution has played a hugely important part of the Hits Radio story so far and we wish them well for the future.”