Beloved radio station axed after 21 years as host | UK News

A beloved radio station has been scrapped after 21 years – with a presenter on the programme disclosing he “didn’t even get to say goodbye” to his listeners. Time 107.5FM ceased broadcasting earlier this month after it was rebranded as Nation Radio London following a buyout by Nation Broadcasting. The station had been operating since 2004 and was transmitted to the west Essex area and east London.

Presenter Neil Andrews had hosted the station’s breakfast programme for 18 years until he was abruptly eliminated from air on August 1. He told the Romford Recorder: “Nobody had any idea it was happening. I finished my breakfast show at 10am on August 1, came off air and was told that was it – it’s over and the programmes were coming to an end at 2pm that afternoon.

“It was as sudden as that. What harm me more than anything was that I did not even get a probability to say goodbye.”, reports the Mirror. Explaining he’s worked in radio for 30 years, he said that he knows everything comes to an end. But added: “It would have been good to have said goodbye to the loyal listeners who rung us up on a daily foundation.”

He further said that the sudden axing of the station has had a massive impact on the presenters who, while all freelancers, had depended on the station for work opportunities.

Describing themselves as their “own bosses”, he said that it was a “real disgrace” when such opportunities go. He added: “(*21*) in Romford was passionate and beloved what they did – they had been such a beautiful workforce.”

However, he did criticise the way the station’s former owners, Lyca Media II Ltd, had managed it.

Describing it as “shockingly run from above”, he maintained that they “never gave us a probability” and highlighted their lack of funding.

Neil went on to say: “I’ve nothing but admiration for all people – everybody working there including all my colleagues labored actually arduous to make the station what it was.”

Lyca boss Raj Badhan previously stated: “Whilst we continue investing in our south Asian radio stations, our time as homeowners of 107.5 is ending. We want the station’s workers and purchasers effectively as it turns into half of the Nation Broadcasting Group.”