4 weeks ago
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'People are being shifted all over the shop and into different slots, which isn’t going down well'
BBC RADIO 5 Live hosts Tony Livesey and Clare McDonnell have had a bitter falling out — leaving the station in chaos.
Insiders said Tony, 60, sent an unkind message about Clare’s presenting ability to her by accident which caused a huge row.
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Clare, 57, who has presented the drivetime show on 5Live with Tony since February 2022, has refused to work with him again.
A source said: “Clare received a message from Tony basically slagging her off and she was livid.
“She no longer wants to work with him and that has caused total chaos at the station.
"People are being shifted all over the shop and into different slots, which isn’t going down well.
“Clare is well within her right to be angry — but it’s made the atmosphere at 5Live really frosty.
“It has become a nightmare there.”
Recently, Clare and Tony have alternated presenting the drivetime slot.
On Monday and Tuesday, Clare hosted the show with Johnny I’Anso.
And on Wednesday and Thursday, Tony teamed up with Leila Nathoo.
Earlier this month the BBC confirmed it would be making changes to the presenting roster but declined to explain why.
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From December, Chris Warburton will be moved to drivetime to replace Tony, who is going back to the 10pm till 1am slot — where he started his career at the station in 2010.
The insider added: “Tony has lost a really good gig because of that message to Clare. It’s a massive kick in the teeth for him.
“Clare is happy she was listened to by station bosses and thinks Tony has got exactly what he deserves.”
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