Mayo quits over MediaCity move

Ian Wylie

September 15, 2009

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Simon Mayo will be moving to replace Chris Evans rather than make the move to MediaCity in Salford.

TOP presenter Simon Mayo has quit Radio Five Live to avoid the BBC's move to Salford Quays.

But he will remain with the network to present a Friday afternoon show which will be based in London - not at MediaCity.

The award-winning presenter confirmed his decision at the start of the weekday afternoon show he has hosted since 2001.

He moves to replace Chris Evans in the Radio Two drivetime slot from next January, 18 months before Five Live's transfer to MediaCity.

Ex-Manchester Piccadilly host Evans is himself moving to replace Terry Wogan on the Radio Two breakfast show.

Mayo, 50, will stay on Five Live to host an expanded two-hour version of his current Friday afternoon film review show with Mark Kermode.

That will be broadcast from London, even after the network moves north.

Five Live Controller Adrian Van Klaveren had previously said that all of his main presenters would work from Salford.

Direction

"The opportunity to move to a daytime music-based show on Radio Two is another change of direction for Simon," said the radio boss.

"But I'm really pleased to say that he won't be leaving Five Live - even after Five Live's move to Salford in 2011.

"Every Friday afternoon Simon will continue to present a live film programme with Mark Kermode - it'll be an even bigger version of the existing Mayo and Kermode Film Show."

London-based Mayo has made no secret of the fact that he did not want to move with his family to Greater Manchester.

A Five Live spokesman told the MEN that Mayo would have to stay in London on Fridays to host the subsequent edition of his Radio Two show.

"This is just two hours out of a major schedule of programmes which will be produced from Salford," he added.

Mayo told listeners that rumours of his departure were "100 per cent accurate".

He added: "It is very, very exciting to be asked to do one of Radio Two's iconic programmes.

"It has, of course, been a very tough decision to make as this has been an extraordinary place to be since 2001."

Replacement

Mayo's replacement will be announced in due course, with former Blue Peter host Richard Bacon and Bolton-born Mark Radcliffe among those mentioned as possible successors.

Manchester City season ticket holder Radcliffe currently co-hosts a Manchester-based Radio Two evening show with Stuart Maconie.

Five Live presenters Nicky Campbell and Peter Allen have already said they will work in Salford. But others, including Bury-raised Victoria Derbyshire, have yet to reveal their intentions.

Five departments, including BBC Sport, Five Live and Children's, are due to move north in a phased operation from Easter 2011. The switch involves 1400 staff posts.

Simon added: "It's a fantastic thrill to be given one of the iconic Radio Two shows like Drive succeeding greats like John Dunn, Johnnie Walker and Chris Evans. It's like winning the double to be able to continue with Mark to present on Fridays on Radio 5 live."

Radio Two controller Bob Shennan said: "I'm delighted to welcome Simon as a permanent fixture on the network. Simon's range as an entertainment broadcaster is broad and rich, making him the perfect host of Radio Two's Drivetime programme."

Adrian Van Klaveren added: "Simon's programme has been one of 5 Five Live's greatest successes over the last nine years, steadily building a reputation as a home of intelligent conversation and entertainment as well as the afternoon's news and sport.

"He's established himself as one of the very best radio interviewers - a tribute to his skills at asking the right questions and his always immaculate preparation and research.

"I'm delighted that he won't be leaving 5 live and will continue to present an even bigger version of the successful Mayo and Kermode film show."

Read Ian Wylie's Blog The Life of Wylie

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ebble, manchester (15/09/2009 at 15:55)

'That will be broadcast from London, even after the network moves north.'

How many times will we hear that in the years to come? What a costly fiasco this politically inspired move is becoming. It'll be good for the hotels, the air shuttle to and from London and the railway companies, but for the licence fee payers it will be yet more expense on top of a licence fee which has been subject to several years of infaltion busting increases.

As for Victoria Derbyshire having yet to reveal her decision, she was quoted saying this in the Times in 2006.

"If it happens, I will not be protesting all the way up the M6 because I know that part of the world and my family lives there,” she says. “I would regard it very positively. However, try telling colleagues that parts of Salford are stunning, and their jaws literally hit the ground.”

Ron, Gorton (15/09/2009 at 15:59)

Is this different from last weeks report on this?

Terry Mahon, Ex Mancunian (15/09/2009 at 16:28)

It would seem the MEN are not up to date. It was announced on Radio 2 toady that he will be doing the "Drive Time" show in the evenings when Terry Wogan retires and Chris Evans takes over his show.

Sheikh Rattle 'n' Roll With It, Bury (15/09/2009 at 16:29)

Well I wouldn't want to move to London if my job was transferred down there. If Simon Mayo is settled down there with his family, why should he move up here?

Edina Clouds, GREAT Manchester (15/09/2009 at 16:31)

Please NOT Mayo on the drive time slot,he so old fashioned salford is better off without him.
Leave Radcliffe and Maconie on Radio 2,there's is one of the best most informed music programmes on air at the moment.

Guten Tag, Manchester (15/09/2009 at 16:41)

Move Radcliffe and Maconie into the drive time slot. Simon Mayo is just too boring for this slot. He hasn't the energy and drive as Chris Evans or the humour of Radcliffe and Maconie.

Mark, South Manchester (15/09/2009 at 16:59)

So he's not quitting over the MediaCity move at all - he's moving to a better job at Radio2 isn't he??
What is this all about? The boring dullard is not popular with northern audiences anyway!!

Andanotherthing, Mcr (15/09/2009 at 17:15)

Well I wouldn't want to move to London if my job was transferred down there. If Simon Mayo is settled down there with his family, why should he move up here?
Sheikh Rattle 'n' Roll With It, Bury
15/09/2009 at 16:29

fantastic post sheikn. Mr Mayo could have The peak district Derbyshire,Yorkshire,or Lancashire. His family is happy in ..Cashire.

studebaker hoch (15/09/2009 at 17:44)

Radcliffe surely. Not the numbingly bland Bacon, please. He's been tried and failed already this year. Anyone who boasts a friendship with Jeremy 'The Most Evil Man on television' Kyle should be kept well away from mainstream radio.

Pot, Higher Blackley (15/09/2009 at 19:47)

I wouldn`t want to move to Salford either, he`s quite within his rights

salfordrat (15/09/2009 at 20:53)

I wouldn`t want to move to Salford either, he`s quite within his rights - Pot, Higher Blackley

I can completely understand why you wouln't want to move to salford - it would be a real pain having to get back to Blackley all the time where the crack and heroin is so cheap and easily available.

Jetstar, Manchest`oh ! (15/09/2009 at 22:26)

Mayo thinks he is bigger than we do so good riddence and let someone else take a step forward not backwards.

Sheikh Rattle 'n' Roll With It, Bury (16/09/2009 at 09:03)

Bring back Mark and Lard...... now that would be funny on Radio 2's drivetime slot..... people could travel back home with smiles on thier faces. To this day, I still cannot beleive how they got away with some of thier stuff on Radio 1..... anyone remember the Missing Words competiton?...pure comedy genius!!!

Brook Lands (16/09/2009 at 09:07)

The only thing I would have missed about Mayo's 5 Live show would have been the film reviews on a Friday so overall I'm happy with what's happening.

I do have one request though, can we get rid of Nicky Campbell? He's everywhere just now and I can't stand the man!

Acid, Chadderton (16/09/2009 at 11:32)

A sad day indeed. (NOT)

nyb, ex manc (16/09/2009 at 13:04)

Seriously though, who is Simon Mayo?

Gary SK13 (16/09/2009 at 13:07)

Sheikh rattle and roll- spot on, they were indeed comedy genius, the amount of times i nearly crashed my car due to laughing hysterically. David Blame , Downcount and Fat harry White were hilarious.

Ryan (16/09/2009 at 14:52)

So a boring radio host wants to keep his family in crime ridden drug fuelled London rather than a strong regenerated area of Salford? Good. We don't need more southeners up here anyway.

You What, Manchester (16/09/2009 at 15:54)

Having met Simon Mayo Salford will be a better place without him he is seriously BORING PERSON

Horatio Dogsbody, Flixton (16/09/2009 at 22:27)

Move over - give someone else a turn.

Dennis the Menace, Hyde (17/09/2009 at 00:45)

Not much of a loss to us in Manchester is he ????, cant really think of why he is so"famous" and "well regarded" ????????

Harry Roberts , Oldham (17/09/2009 at 14:12)

Come on, can you blame him - he's a London man, and he's comfortable where he works. If I was in my early fifties - no matter where I lived, wouldn't want to up sticks and move elsewhere. Doubt whether he's done it out of 'Londoncentric' spite. He's just thinking of his family. Top man.

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