I’m sure this has been discussed so apols but what’s the skinny on how Steve Allen was let go?
From what I can piece together Theodore, there were some contract discussions after a Friday show back in March (his contract was due for renewal at the end of the month).
Something apparently upset Steve and he pulled out of his Monday and Tuesday early morning shows the following week with Ian Payne drafted in from his holiday to cover.
By midweek the schedule changed again with Ian left in situ for the rest of that week.
Steve returned on the Friday to recommence negotiations and something seems to have gone horribly wrong. His departure from LBC was announced that day and Ian Payne inherited the early morning slot.
This caused a short term problem in filling Ian's old late night slot with last minute covers being drafted in week by week until Colin Brazieer got the job.
That's the chronology, but as for your specific question there has been no news or leaks to explain why he left. And it was clearly unexpected with Ian Payne returning from his hols to cover and the subsequent hole in the late night schedule, so it's all very mysterious.
There was some speculation that Steve had been asked to tone down his act following complaints including one where he apparently refused to acknowledge Sam Smith as non-binary on a podcast.
Steve was certainly a unique act who was brilliant at his job and broke the mould in so many ways. I'm enjoying Ian's new show though, in particular that he does lighter/fun stuff in the first two hours and goes newsy after six in the run up to the main breakfast show which works very well in my view.
It was a very sad end for Steve after his many years of service, but that is the ruthless way radio seems to operate - you're in the club one day, airbrushed from history the next.
nitter.cz
